On 3 November, Geneva hosted the opening of the Global Dialogue on International Humanitarian Law, organized within the framework of the joint initiative of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Switzerland aimed at strengthening respect for international humanitarian law (IHL).
The event was attended by Akmal Saidov, Director of the National Centre of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights (NCHR), who spoke at the round table on “A Whole-of-Society Approach to Building the Foundations of International Humanitarian Law”.
The opening ceremony featured addresses by ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric and Alexandre Fasel, representing the leadership of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland. The speakers focused on contemporary challenges to international humanitarian law, the protection of civilians, and the need to strengthen State accountability for compliance with humanitarian norms.
The speakers noted that, against the backdrop of ongoing armed conflicts and growing humanitarian needs, the international community must step up its efforts to ensure respect for the Geneva Conventions, protect human dignity, and prevent violations of IHL.
The importance of the Global Initiative on IHL was underlined as a platform for sharing national experience, developing practical recommendations, and strengthening international cooperation.
In his remarks, Akmal Saidov, Director of the National of the Republic of Uzbekistan Centre for Human Rights, drew the participants’ attention to the need to strengthen national legislation and mechanisms for the implementation of international humanitarian law (IHL), to expand interaction between State bodies and civil society institutions, and to raise legal awareness among the population.
The Head of the NCHR particularly emphasized the importance of fostering a culture of respect for IHL norms already in peacetime through educational initiatives, professional training, and youth engagement.
In addition, on 4 November, NCHR Director Akmal Saidov met with Pierre Krähenbühl, Director-General of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), who commended the current level of cooperation between Uzbekistan and the ICRC, describing it as constructive and fruitful. Mr. Krähenbühl also highlighted Uzbekistan’s commitment to promoting humanitarian values, protecting human rights, and strengthening international humanitarian law.
He expressed appreciation for Uzbekistan’s active participation in ICRC international initiatives, in particular for joining the Global Initiative on International Humanitarian Law, which is aimed at strengthening respect for IHL, protecting civilians in armed conflict, and developing international cooperation in this field.
In this context, he noted the importance of high-level participation by a delegation of Uzbekistan in the upcoming High-Level Conference “Humanity in War”, to be held in Jordan in December within the framework of the Global Initiative on International Humanitarian Law. The Conference is expected to review the results of the implementation of the Global Initiative on IHL and to adopt a political declaration aimed at reinforcing States’ commitment to the principles of international humanitarian law.
Mr. Krähenbühl spoke highly of the Samarkand Human Rights Forum held in September this year, noting its significance for international dialogue, as well as the welcome message delivered by ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric.
Particular attention was paid to the implementation of the NCHR–ICRC Action Plan for 2026–2027. The ICRC expressed its readiness to support the implementation of the planned activities, including the development of educational initiatives, the holding of joint expert meetings, and the improvement of national legislation in the field of international humanitarian law.
Furthermore, Mr. Krähenbühl expressed readiness to expand cooperation with Uzbekistan not only at the bilateral but also at the regional level by organizing thematic seminars and conferences with the participation of Central Asian States, focusing on the use of artificial intelligence in the context of IHL, the exchange of national experience, and the development of practical recommendations.
Special attention was also given to the possibility of holding a separate regional conference to discuss the outcomes of the upcoming IHL conference in Jordan and to identify further areas of cooperation in this field.
The parties also discussed the need to publish the Geneva Conventions and other IHL materials in the Uzbek language in Latin script, which would enable young people in Uzbekistan to study and use these materials in their native language, thereby contributing to greater legal awareness of and interest in international humanitarian law.
In conclusion, the parties reaffirmed their commitment to promoting a culture of peace, protecting human dignity, and further developing practical cooperation.
Press Service
of the National Centre of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights