Kazakhstan Joins Global Initiative to Strengthen International Humanitarian Law

ASTANA – Kazakhstan, Brazil, China, France, Jordan and South Africa, in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), launched a global initiative to enhance political commitment to international humanitarian law (IHL) on Sept. 27 at the United Nations headquarters in New York, reported the foreign ministry’s press service.

Six countries, including Kazakhstan, Brazil, Jordan, China, France, and South Africa, in collaboration with the ICRC, launched a global initiative to enhance political commitment to international humanitarian law. Photo credit: gov.kz

The initiative aims to boost action to respect, protect and comply with the Geneva Conventions to mitigate the effects of armed conflict, reduce civilian suffering, and preserve civilian infrastructure. It is open to participation from all other nations.

To implement this initiative, the founding countries have asked the ICRC to hold consultations with all stakeholders to develop practical recommendations for renewing commitment to the universal and faithful application of the Geneva Conventions.

A Global Summit to Uphold Humanity in War is planned for 2026 to summarize and approve the results of these consultations. 

The Geneva Conventions of 1949, ratified by all countries, form the foundation of international humanitarian law by establishing rules for the protection of victims in armed conflicts.