Geneva: The State of Qatar has underscored the role of international humanitarian law (IHL) in sustaining pathways to peace during the fifth consultations among states on international humanitarian law and peace, held at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) headquarters in Geneva.
According to Qatar News Agency, the State of Qatar was represented by HE Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Geneva, Ambassador Dr. Hind Abdulrahman Al Muftah. She also spoke on behalf of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the People's Republic of Bangladesh, the Republic of Colombia, and the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia as co-chairs of the third track of the Global Initiative on International Humanitarian Law, which focuses on IHL and Peace.
In her remarks, HE Dr. Al Muftah stated that while international humanitarian law does not inherently create peace, adherence to it can preserve conditions conducive to peace. She highlighted that compliance with IHL can mitigate human suffering, curtail destruction, maintain trust between conflicting parties, safeguard essential societal systems, and keep open channels for dialogue.
She further emphasized that the revised outcome document of the initiative serves as a practical tool, integrating measures that bolster stronger implementation of humanitarian law, promote humanitarian dialogue, enhance mediation efforts and peace processes, and guide post-conflict transition phases.
Dr. Al Muftah commended the constructive participation of states, acknowledging their contributions in shaping and strengthening the draft document. She noted that the co-chairs and the ICRC are working towards finalizing the document, with its publication in all official languages of the Global Initiative on International Humanitarian Law slated for late September 2026. Additionally, she mentioned that Switzerland and the ICRC will host the global dialogue on International Humanitarian Law in Geneva on November 3-4, 2026.
The Qatari envoy reiterated that international law remains pivotal for safeguarding humanity, promoting dialogue, and aiding recovery, stressing that respect for international humanitarian law can help preserve peace opportunities even in contexts where peace seems distant.