This week [28-31 October] a NATO delegation attended the 34th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent in Geneva. NATO reaffirmed its pledge to continue working with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to identify further opportunities to provide training and education on international humanitarian law. This is the third time that NATO makes this pledge (following the 32nd and 33rd International Conferences in 2015 and 2019).
NATO's dialogue with the ICRC
As Allies reiterated at the Washington Summit this July, NATO remains committed to promoting the principles of international humanitarian law together with the international community, including the ICRC. It does so by including measures to protect civilians affected by armed conflict in its military doctrine, education, training, planning, exercises and operations.
The International Conference of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent
The International Conference of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent takes place every four years and provides a space for humanitarian actors, international organisations and the 191 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and all 196 states party to the Geneva Conventions to promote respect for and contribute to the development of international humanitarian law.
The NATO Liaison Office in Geneva
In 2023, Allies agreed to establish a NATO Liaison Office in Geneva to further strengthen the Alliance's engagement with the United Nations and other relevant international organisations. The office is intended to offer a platform to engage in political dialogue and cooperation with Geneva-based international organizations.
REAFFIRMATION OF NATO'S PLEDGE
Considering:
NATO's commitment to abide by the rules and principles of International Humanitarian Law;
NATO's recognition of, and respect for, the ICRC's mandate and mission;
NATO's continued efforts to advance its Human Security Agenda, which entails the Protection of Civilians; Children and Armed Conflict; Preventing and Responding to Conflict-Related Sexual Violence; Cultural Property Protection and Combatting Trafficking in Human Beings, as well as continued efforts to advance the Women, Peace and Security Agenda;
NATO's continued commitment to including measures to protect civilians affected by armed conflict in Alliance's military doctrine, education, training, exercises, planning, and the conduct of operations;
NATO reaffirms its pledge to:
Continue substantive dialogue with the ICRC aimed at identifying areas where training and education provided by NATO on International Humanitarian Law may be further enhanced.
