Geneva, international humanitarian law, and the world

vent Details:

Date: 27 August 2026
Time: 17:00–18:30 CEST

Venue: ICRC Humanitarium (Avenue de la Paix 17, 1202 Geneva) 

Language: English (with international sign language interpretation, as well as AI captioning in French for those attending in person)

Geneva has long been regarded as the global epicenter of international humanitarian law (IHL), a status rooted in its history as the birthplace of the ICRC and the Geneva Conventions. In an era marked by evolving conflicts, emerging technologies in warfare, and shifting geopolitical landscapes, the city’s role as a hub for IHL expertise and governance is more critical than ever.

This high-level public panel discussion seeks to bring together leading voices to reflect on Geneva’s unique role in shaping the global IHL agenda. Organized as part of the Geneva Global Gathering of IHL Professors, this event will feature keynote addresses and a dynamic panel discussion with key actors from academia, international organizations, and civil society.

The event will explore three core themes:

• Geneva’s historical and contemporary contributions to IHL.
• The role of key institutions such as the ICRC, Swiss diplomacy, academics, practitioners and youth in advancing humanitarian law.
• The future of Geneva in addressing modern IHL challenges, including the protection of civilians in hostilities, the regulation of weapons and political recommitment to IHL.

By fostering dialogue between practitioners, scholars, and the public, this event aims to reaffirm Geneva’s position as a global IHL hub, to foster international and local support for this role, and to inspire the next generation of legal professionals and humanitarians.

We would be honored by your participation in this important discussion and look forward to welcoming you.