Switzerland is working to strengthen the implementation of the principle of precaution in armed conflicts
Bern, 20.04.2026 — From 21 to 30 April 2026, Switzerland and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) will be organising a meeting of state experts on international humanitarian law (IHL). This meeting, the third of its kind, will enable participants to share their experience in the practical implementation of the principle of precaution, a fundamental element in the protection of the civilian population in armed conflicts.
Year after year, civilians continue to bear a heavy burden in armed conflicts. IHL, also known as the ‘law of war’ or the ‘law of armed conflict’, aims to strike a balance between military necessity and human considerations. The aim of the principle of precaution is tolimit, to the greatest extent possible, the risks to civilians and civilian objects during military operations. It requires the parties to take constant care in the planning and conduct of military operations to spare civilians and civilian objects.
Realistic and practical progress through dialogue
Despite its central importance, effectively implementing precautionnary measures remains a major challenge. In many armed conflicts, operations take place in densely populated environments, where civilians and civilian infrastructure are particularly exposed. Their proximity to military targets and the use of new technologies further exacerbate the risks. The main issue is therefore the effective application of existing rules.
How can we adapt the planning and conduct of military operations to complex urban environments? How can considerations relating to the protection of civilians be better integrated into decision-making processes? How can new technologies be leveraged to enhance civilian protection while limiting their risks? These are some of the many questions that will be addressed by more than 400 experts from nearly 130 countries, most of them from ministries of defence. Up against those common challenges, these experts will meet to share the measures taken by their respective governments to implement IHL. The Swiss army will also be taking part in the discussions.
At the end of the meeting, a summary prepared by Switzerland and the ICRC will present the best practices identified by the participants.
These exchanges help bridge the gap between normative frameworks and operational realities – in other words, they enable realistic and practical progress in the implementation of IHL.
This expert meeting, held in a hybrid format to to ensure the widest possible participation, follows on from those held in 2023 on the protection of the environment and in 2020 on the protection of medical activities in armed conflicts. These meetings take place in Geneva, a unique ecosystem of expertise and synergies in IHL, complemented by the city's role as a global hub for humanitarian action, and are part of Switzerland's efforts to promote and strengthen respect for IHL.