The Geneva Conventions at 75 & the Future of International Humanitarian Law

The adoption of the four Geneva Conventions in 1949 was a watershed moment. In the aftermath of WWII, States came together to pursue the common goal of protecting persons not taking part in hostilities. However, as we celebrate their 75th anniversary, we are witnessing an explosion of international and non-international armed conflicts, from Ethiopia, to Russia/Ukraine, to Israel/Palestine. Furthermore, the circumstances of conflict are changing significantly: we see an increase in non-State armed groups, private military and security companies, and mercenaries participating in conflict, as well as the involvement of sub-regional coalitions. Climate change has the potential to spark new conflict. The current and future use of artificial intelligence is giving rise to new frontiers on the battlefield. There are myriad challenges around humanitarian access and assistance, and a need to demystify rules and their applicability to today’s armed conflict situations, while ensuring that they continue to be relevant and sufficient for addressing current and future challenges. This panel will bring together experts to discuss these issues and what comes next for the IHL regime.