Protection of civilians in armed conflict - Security Council, 10154th meeting

That's why.
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The 10,154th meeting of the Security Council is called to order.
The provisional agenda for this meeting is protection of civilians in armed conflict.
The agenda is adopted in accordance with rule 37 of the councils Provisional Rules of Procedure.
I invited representatives of Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burundi, Cambodia, Canada, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Ethiopia, the Dominican Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Georgia, Germany, Guatemala, Guyana, Hungary, India, Indonesia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, the Kingdom the Kingdom of the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Timor-Leste Turkey, Ukraine, the United Republic of Emirates, the United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay and Vietnam.
To participate in this meeting.
It is so decided in accordance with rule 39 of the councils Provisional Rules of Procedure, I invite the following prefers to participate in this meeting.
Miss Adam Wilson, Director, Crisis Response Division, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, and Miss Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, president of the International Committee of the Red cross.
It is so decided.
In accordance with rule 39 of the councils Provisional Rules of Procedure.
I also invite His Excellency, Mr.
Stavros Lambrinidis, head of the delegation of the European Union, to the United Nations, to participate in this meeting.
It is so decided.
I propose, in accordance with the rules, provisional Rules of Procedure and previous practice In this regard, I propose that Council invite the permanent observers of the observer state of Palestine to destinations to participate in this meeting.
It There have been no objection.
It is so decided.
I propose that the Council invite the representatives of the Permanent Observer mission of the Holy See to the United Nations to participate in this meeting in accordance with the Provisional Rules of Procedure and previous practice.
In this regard there have been.
Objection.
It is so decided.
The Security Council will now begin its consideration of item two of the agenda.
I wish to draw the attention of the Council members to document as slash 2026 slash 390, the report of the Secretary-General on the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict and now give the floor to Mr.
Adam Wassoulou Mr.
president, one civilian was killed approximately every 14 minutes in 2025.
These are only the deaths that the United Nations could document across 24 armed conflicts.
We know the real toll is far higher in the Democratic Republic of Congo, in Sudan, in Ukraine, in the occupied Palestinian territory and beyond.
I saw some of this devastation myself over the past year during my visits to countries affected by war, civilians, including children, are killed in their homes, in markets, at work, at school, on roads and while fleeing for safety.
All too often they are not collateral damage.
They are the target.
Explosive weapons continue to tear through towns and cities, destroying not only lives, but the systems that sustain them, such as power grids, water networks, schools and hospitals.
Healthcare is under attack.
Ten years after this, council adopted resolution 2286 on the protection of health care in armed conflict, the situation has only gotten worse.
In 2025, the United Nations recorded more than 1350 attacks on medical care across 18 conflicts.
Hospitals and ambulances were hit, medical personnel killed, detained, intimidated, criminalised simply for doing their jobs.
Conflict driven hunger has deepened.
147 million people faced acute food insecurity in 2025, driven largely by armed conflict.
Two famines were confirmed not because food was unavailable, but because of the way parties conducted hostilities, used siege tactics and denied humanitarian access.
Food has become a weapon of war Sexual violence remains widespread.
The United Nations reported over 9300 cases last year.
The overwhelming majority women and girls, many of whom will struggle to get the basic assistance they need.
We know that number, unfortunately, is much higher.
Children are abducted and recruited to fight Too many are injured and killed a direct result of the use of explosive weapons in densely populated areas.
Information and communication technology, including social media, is used to abduct, to extort and recruit children.
Journalists are targeted.
According to Unesco, 186 journalists were killed while covering wars and conflict zones between 2022 and 2025, a 67% increase compared to the period 2018 2021.
Persons with disabilities are left behind when bombs fall and warnings fail.
Last month, the emergency relief coordinator, Tom Fletcher, briefed this counsel on attacks against humanitarian workers.
Since then, eight more colleagues were confirmed killed in 2025.
Already in 2026, 144 humanitarian workers have been reported killed, injured, abducted, detained as they tried to serve those in need.
New technologies are intensifying these risks.
Armed drones and artificial intelligence are accelerating the pace and reach of violence, often in densely populated areas.
The use of drones increased by 400 0% from 2020 to 2024.
Across conflicts.
The impact is not only physical, the impact is psychological.
Constant fear, constant disruption.
The consequences for children are alarming.
Mr.
president, none of this is inevitable.
These patterns are result of choices.
The choice by parties to conflict, to ignore their obligations to protect civilians, and too often, to target them.
The choice by some to adopt increasingly permissive interpretations of international humanitarian law, hollowing out the very rules designed to protect civilians during war.
The choice to subordinate the protection of civilians to claims of military necessity or exceptional threat the choice to let impunity prevail, the choice to harness technology to increase lethality so devastation spread misinformation instead of using it to better protect civilians and the choice to attack the United Nations charter, humanitarian norms and the tools built over decades.
That extraordinary scaffolding meant to protect people from enduring war.
Mr.
president, excellencies, my message to this council and to the United Nations membership is simple.
There is another path.
Other choices are possible and they must be made.
They must be made because protecting civilians, ensuring respect for the law and ending impunity is not only a legal and moral obligation, it is also in member states shared interest.
In a world where conflicts are rising and rearmament is accelerating, unrestrained force and unapologetic brutality do not make anyone safer.
They put everyone at risk.
Those who believe war will never reach them, their families, or their people are living in a dangerous illusion.
War does not respect borders.
It does not respect privileges.
So the law exists.
The tools exist.
What is needed now is the resolve, the leadership, the courage, and the moral clarity to hold the line and to push it forward.
Protecting civilians requires more than expressions of concern.
Protecting civilians requires genuine commitment.
That translates into concrete action to uphold the United Nations Charter and prevent disagreements from escalating into armed conflict.
To ensure respect of international humanitarian law, without exceptions, without selectivity, regardless of who the parties are.
No reinterpretation, no exceptionalism, no double standards to avoid the use of explosive weapons in populated areas and call out those who raise entire cities to the ground to stop the transfer of weapons.
When there is a clear risk, there will be used against civilians to safeguard medical care, humanitarian personnel and journalists.
Not stigmatize them, not criminalize them.
To keep human control over the use of force to steer AI and technology towards greater, not lesser, protection of civilians.
Protection for civilians to help victims seek justice and to end impunity.
Mr.
president, protecting civilians in armed conflict is not charity.
It is the minimum that humanity and civilian civilisation require.
It is central to peace and security.
It is the responsibility of this Council and of every member state that signed the United Nations Charter.
And it is what many people around the world expect the member States of the United Nations to do.
It cannot be outsourced.
It cannot be postponed.
It cannot be diluted It is the choice we have to make now.
I thank you.
Thank you, Mr.
Wassoulou, for her briefing.
I now give the floor to Mr.
Mirjana Spoljaric Akar.
Mr.
president, Wars fought without rules.
Transform wars between combatants into wars against civilians.
In recent weeks, I have undertaken several missions to the Middle East, where the impact of conflict on civilians is painfully clear, but brutal patterns of warfare are becoming pervasive across regions from the Middle East to the Horn of Africa to Eastern Europe and beyond.
We can no longer pretend that what we are witnessing across war zones is in accordance with the law, not the scale of destruction, not the scale of suffering, and not the language being used to justify it.
When leaders direct their militaries to act without restraint, when they label their enemies as subhuman, when they threaten entire populations, they do more than incite war crimes.
They threaten to destroy the moral foundations of what it means to be human.
Across history, dehumanisation has been a consistent precursor to atrocity.
Indiscriminate killing, torture, and abuse become far easier to justify when we stop seeing others as equal human beings.
But what happens when brutalizing rhetoric becomes the baseline? It gives your enemy the green light to do the same.
The real world consequences are horrific and undeniable.
Entire territories reduced to rubble and hospitals destroyed.
Patients killed.
Aid workers and medics repeatedly targeted.
These are the violations that happen in plain sight.
Others happen in the shadows, in jail cells, detention centres and interrogation rooms far from public scrutiny.
In the extreme power imbalance between a person in a cell and those holding the keys, moral boundaries can easily collapse.
In too many conflicts, people behind bars are stripped of any shred of their humanity.
They are recast as less than human and therefore unworthy of fair treatment or trial.
They are robbed of their identities and are at risk of vanishing as records of their whereabouts are destroyed.
Dehumanisation is not limited to captured combatants.
Civilians deprived of liberty are often subjected to similar abuses.
Deliberate cruelty does not happen by chance.
There is no such thing as accidental torture or abuse.
It is the product of a system designed to rationalize acts born from a disregard of the law and military strategies designed to irreversibly destroy the Geneva Conventions are clear that in international armed conflicts, including occupation, prisoners of war, civilian internees and detainees have a right to be visited by the ICC.
We monitor their treatment and conditions, keep them connected with their families, and help prevent them from going missing.
Despite states obligation to allow ICRC visits, our access is denied or severely restricted in far too many instances.
Today, a dangerous erosion of the norms that risks harming not only people behind bars today, but also tomorrow.
We continue to carry out detention visits wherever we are given access.
Last week, I visited Car Central Prison in Baghdad, which now houses thousands of people of nearly 70 nationalities who were recently transferred from north east Syria.
Among them are children who were caught up in a war they did not choose and now face a life potentially behind bars.
Their situation symbolises what can happen when the international community deems entire categories of people outside the bounds of the law, and lacks the political and moral courage to manage the face.
For many people living through war or under occupation, the feeling of imprisonment is not confined to places of detention but to daily life.
Today, the future of millions of civilians across the world is shackled by a level of destruction that erases their homes and livelihoods, that severs them from their land, and that denies them basic human dignity Armed conflict does not happen in a vacuum.
Where politics fail, wars follow, and it is therefore time to invest genuinely in lasting resolutions of conflict, and not only in the cursory management of them.
Mr.
president, protecting civilians and treating your adversary with within the confines of the law does not make you weaker.
It strengthens your moral upper hand at home and abroad.
The first steps towards peace are often found in the simultaneous release of prisoners, or the return of the deceased to their loved ones.
These acts are far easier to carry out when parties respect the rules of war.
And this is why I urge leaders to make international humanitarian law a political priority.
I am encouraged that 111 states have joined the call to be part of the global initiative, an exceptional effort launched by Brazil, China, France, Jordan, Kazakhstan and South Africa to galvanise political commitment to international humanitarian law.
We cannot succumb to a political culture that erases the lessons born out of world wars, out of the ashes of mass destruction and genocide.
It is up to you, as members of the Security Council, as members of the United Nations General Assembly and the state parties, to the Geneva Conventions to change course.
I thank you.
I thank Miss Agha for her briefing.
I now give the floor to those council members who wish to make statements.
I now give the floor to the representative of Greece.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
I would like to start by thanking the director of the Oka Crisis Response Division, Mr..
Mrs.
Adam Rossano, and the president of the International Committee of the Red cross, Miss Mirjana Spoljaric, for their comprehensive and insightful briefings.
Colleagues, we meet at a time of profound and worsening crisis for the protection of civilians in armed conflict, as attested in the Annual Report of the Secretary-General for the year 2025.
At a time of blatant disregard for international humanitarian law in armed conflict in more than 100 armed conflicts worldwide in Ukraine, Sudan, Gaza, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar, Syria, Lebanon, South Sudan, Yemen and many other countries.
The reality on the ground for civilians is far from the protection framework we established for them in Ukraine The reported number of civilians killed and injured in 2025 increased by 31% compared to 2024, and by 70% compared to 2023.
While the attacks on energy infrastructure increased by 32% compared to 2024.
In Gaza, at least 20,000 Palestinians were killed in 2025, and more than 80% of all structures were damaged by the end of 2025.
Sudan remained the largest displacement crisis globally.
The weaponisation of food and siege tactics exacerbated the famines confirmed last year in Gaza and Sudan.
Allow me to underline the following points.
Firstly, we must ensure that all parties to conflict comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law and human rights law, States must assume the political responsibility for the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, and to adopt and implement policies that provide effective and meaningful protection to civilians.
In this regard, Greece joined the Global initiative to galvanise political commitment to international humanitarian law launched by the International Committee of the Red cross, together with Brazil, China, France, Jordan, Kazakhstan and South Africa, and endorsed the declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel initiated by Australia.
Secondly, we must ensure accountability.
States must support independent, full, transparent and effective investigations and the prosecution of those responsible.
The collection, verification and reporting of data.
The protection for survival.
Survivors of violence the development of mechanisms for sanctions and the provision of reparations to victims.
Thirdly, states and parties to conflict must respect and protect medical care and humanitarian workers.
Avoid the use of explosive weapons in populated areas.
Prioritize safe, timely and unimpeded humanitarian access, and enable peacekeeping and special political missions to effectively reach people in need.
Fourthly, we must acknowledge that technological advances fundamentally transform conflict.
The evolution of in warfare is not new.
The extent, pace, and impact of change is new.
The increased use of drones, the deployment of AI in warfare, the use of information and communication technology to spread misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech pose enormous risks on the ground for civilians.
It is our shared responsibility to have guardrails over technology and its responsible use in ways that prevent and mitigate the risks and comply with international law.
Furthermore, we must preserve the protection of children, including from the risks of technology facilitated violence, and commit to support women and girls and empower their participation in protection efforts.
Mr.
president, it is our legal and moral imperative to safeguard civilians and alleviate the suffering.
We have to act with urgency and resolve.
I thank you.
I thank the representative of Greece for the statement.
I now give the floor to the representative of Somalia.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
At the outset, I would like to express appreciation to the Chinese presidency for convening this annual debate, a vital platform for our collective commitment to the most vulnerable.
I also extend our gratitude to Director Osorno and ICRC President Spoljaric for their sobering and insightful briefings.
Their stark assessments underscored the heavy responsibility this council carries.
As we mark the 10th anniversary of Security Council Resolution 2286, the Secretary-General's latest report presents a devastating reality across conflicts, civilians are increasingly exposed to patterns of violence that destroys homes, hospitals, water systems, food supplies, and the foundation of civilian life itself.
While we note the first marginal decline in global civilian deaths after three consecutive years of increases, the human toll remains intolerable.
As we have heard from Miss Osorno documenting more than 37 civilian deaths across 20 armed conflict means that in 2025, a civilian was killed every 14 minutes.
This is not an abstract statistics.
It represents shattered families, orphaned children and futures stolen in an instant.
Against this unprecedented, unprecedented challenges, my delegations wishes to offer the following.
First, we must place accountability and international law at the absolute centre of our efforts.
We must strengthen independent investigations, support international judicial mechanisms, and reject any claims of exceptional necessity used to distort humanitarian norms.
Humanitarian access and assistance must never be obstructed, politicized or militarized.
This is evident in Gaza, where the scale of destruction is catastrophic.
At least 20,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, were killed in 2025 alone by the occupying power.
The occupied Palestinian territory also accounted for more than half of all conflict related journalist killings globally.
While humanitarian personnel were killed in unprecedented numbers When violations against civilians go unpunished, impunity becomes the norm and the cycle of violence deepens.
We call for holding the occupying power accountable for its crimes against humanity, and to uphold its obligation under international law and ensure the protection of civilians in the occupied Palestinian territory.
Second, we cannot ignore the revolutionary transformation driven by AI and digital technological technologies in warfare.
These tools are accelerating the speed and scale of civilian harm while outpacing international regulations and accountability.
In Sudan, where civilian deaths rose sharply, the population has endured continuous drone attacks, hitting densely populated neighborhoods, markets, hospitals, and airports.
We support the call for legally binding instrument that establishes clear prohibition and restriction on autonomous weapon systems, ensuring that technology never replaces human judgment and control over the use of force.
Third, we must confront the weaponization of the digital information space.
This information misinformation and dehumanisation are increasingly used to fuel division, incite hostility and directly target humanitarian and medical personnel.
In many instances, we must stand united to counter these malicious campaigns and protect the digital infrastructure vital to humanitarian operations.
To conclude, Mr.
President, protecting civilians is not a flexible political choice.
It is both a fundamental obligation under international law, a legal duty and a moral imperative that shapes the very credibility of the United Nations and serves as a defining measure of this council's collective resolve.
We call on all member states to honour the UN charter, reject the rule of force and turn our collective promises into meaningful, real protection.
Millions of lives and hopes depend on what we do together.
I thank you.
I thank the representative of Somalia for the statement.
I now give the floor to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Mr.
president.
Mr.
president, the Democratic Republic of the Congo thanks China for convening this open debate on the protection of civilians in armed conflict.
We also thank Miss Adam Watson and Miss Mirjana Spoljaric for their briefings and for their unstinting commitment within their respective institutions to assist people affected by armed conflict.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo welcomes the opportunity afforded by this debate.
It is being held in an international context, marked by a worrying and protracted disintegration or worsening of international peace and security.
Proof of that fact is the ever increasing number of theaters of conflict that are all interlinked and equal in their complexity.
Civilians pay a heavy price for these conflicts 80 years after the inception of our organisation, we are regrettably compelled to note that the promises and founding goals of the United Nations in terms of peace, security and respect for human rights remain on deeply shaky ground.
The ever increasing number of theatres of conflict, the fact they are interrelated in a complex fashion, not to mention the growing, the increasingly sophisticated nature of hostilities, and the gradual erasure of the line separating military and civilian space are all alarm bells that the international community must heed in the most resolute terms because at the very heart of this intricate, intricate web of conflict are people at risk of forced displacement, indiscriminate violence, tragic situations that often go hand in hand with the destruction of essential infrastructure and constraints as unspeakable as they are unacceptable, weighing heavy on humanitarian personnel This picture would be incomplete if we failed to mention the underlying dynamics That is, the erasure of diplomacy as it yields to a logic of iron belligerence.
Because where dialogue gives way to a logic of belligerence with no political horizon, it is invariably the civilians who endure the most devastating consequences.
Each additional escalation, each ratcheting up of hostilities, dims a little more still, the prospects of a peaceful and lasting solution to a conflict that, at the same time renders ever more fragile the very foundations that buttress our collective architecture of peace and security.
Yet of graver concern concerns still in this dynamic of increasing conflict is this medical infrastructure, medical convoys, and huge humanitarian and medical personnel remain.
And this is of particular concern, exposed to recurring attacks that violate, clearly, international humanitarian law.
Ten years since the adoption of resolution 282286, the annual report of the Secretary General has pointed to more than 37,000 civilian deaths documented over 25 armed conflicts in 2025.
These figures are not mere statistics.
They are rather the reflection of the wholesale disintegration of respect for international humanitarian law and symptomatic of persistent impunity that this council has the responsibility to combat.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo has for several decades now been faced with persistent conflicts, and we are intimately aware of the reality that we have painted above in the east of our country.
Report after report of the United Nations Panel of Experts has documented persistent grave violations of international humanitarian law perpetrated by armed groups, as well as elements supported from outside We've mainly seen attacks against civilians, displaced persons, sites and critical infrastructure.
Humanitarian organisations, including MSF, have on several occasions sounded the alarm regarding the continued worsening of the security situation in certain conflict affected areas.
Moreover, Monusco's experience in the east of the DRC demonstrates both the importance and limits of international protection mechanisms when they do not go hand in hand with sustained efforts to build national capacity to bring about a sustainable resolution of the root causes of conflict, or consistent political commitment to bringing about peace.
Monusco's experience also demonstrates that the protection of civilians cannot be contemplated solely through a security lens.
Rather, it must be part of an integrated approach which weaves together security, development, justice, peace building, and political dialogue.
It is for this reason I wish to recall that the primary responsibility of protecting civilians is incumbent upon states.
However, my delegation reaffirms that international support.
At the same time can only produce sustainable effects when it buttresses legitimate institutions, consolidates national protection mechanisms, and tackles the root causes of stability instability.
Moreover conflict prevention and the peaceful resolution of disputes remain vital prerequisites for the sustainable protection of civilians.
By way of illustration, I would point to the fact that the DRC, in line with its partners, has undertaken specific efforts to train its defence and security forces in international humanitarian law.
We have also instituted national reporting and monitoring mechanisms for violations.
These initiatives are still fragile but nevertheless bear witness to national authorities deep desire to fully shoulder their primary responsibility for protecting civilians.
These initiatives deserve support from the international community, and efforts must be made to render them more visible.
My delegation, Mr.
President, is of the view that the Security Council must continue its efforts in order to ensure the effective implementation of its relevant resolutions, namely resolutions 22, 86 and 2573.
These instruments remain crucial reference points for the protection of medical care in times of conflict and for the fight against impunity.
Their full implementation involves renewed political commitment.
However, it also involves bolstered monitoring mechanisms and a collective desire to ensure the provisions of them are upheld.
Indeed, impunity remains one of the key factors driving the recurrence of violations perpetrated against civilians and humanitarian personnel.
The challenges we have outlined are colossal, and in view of that fact, initiatives able to sow the seeds of hope must be commended and supported.
In this regard, we welcome the launch of the Global Initiative to galvanise political commitment to international humanitarian law.
Indeed, indeed, the protection of civilians cannot be decoupled from the preservation of multilateralism or from the respect of international law, or from the restoration of a culture of dialogue and commitment and compromise in international relations.
To conclude, Mr.
President, we reaffirm our tireless commitment to international humanitarian law and to the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter.
We call upon all parties to armed conflicts to cast aside any mindset focused on escalation.
We call upon them to stringently abide by international obligations and to guarantee safe, unfettered and expeditious humanitarian access, as well as to guarantee the effective protection of civilians and medical and humanitarian personnel.
Here we underscore three points.
One, the council and its international partners must scrupulously ensure that the mandates reinforce resources and national capacity.
Building support is clearly defined and closely coordinated, closely coordinated, and entirely tailored to realities on the ground.
This is particularly key for security, justice, early warning and community protection.
My second point here the protection of civilians must be part and parcel of sustained investments in peace, building, development and tackling the root causes of conflicts.
This is the only way to produce lasting effects on the ground.
My third and final point.
Support for national authorities must be part of a coherent political strategy.
This strategy must bring together local, national, regional and international levels in order to bring about peace, preserve state sovereignty and support the effective implementation of ceasefire commitments.
I thank you.
I thank the representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo for the statement.
I now give the floor to the representative of Pakistan.
The president.
We thank the Chinese presidency for convening this important debate, and we also thank the Secretary General for his annual report on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, as well as the Briefers Director and President Egger, for their sobering assessments.
The protection of civilians is not just a gesture of compassion, it is a binding legal obligation, a moral imperative and a central responsibility of this council.
From the Sahel and Sudan to DRC to Gaza and the Middle East, to Kashmir and elsewhere, civilians are trapped in conflicts and are suffering from their consequences.
They face bombardment, displacement, hunger, sexual violence, destruction of homes and livelihoods, collapse of basic services and denial of humanitarian access in situations of foreign occupation.
In particular, civilians live under prolonged denial of rights, dignity and self-determination.
Occupation does not suspend international law.
It in fact heightens the obligations of the occupying power in Palestine.
The immense suffering of civilians necessitates unhindered humanitarian access, accountability and realization of the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and statehood.
In the Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, a dispute that continues to be on the agenda of this council for more than seven decades.
Civilians continue to suffer under foreign occupation, massive militarisation, arbitrary detentions, restrictions on fundamental freedoms, demographic engineering and denial of their internationally recognised right to self-determination.
The gravity of this situation was reflected last year in a joint communication of UN Special Procedures of 16th October 2025 which referred to the arrest and detention of around 2800 individuals in the occupied Kashmir, including journalists and human rights defenders, demolition of homes, blocking of around 8000 social media accounts and 64 recorded incidents of hate speech, intimidation and dehumanisation targeting Kashmiris and Muslims Just between a short period from 22nd April to 2nd May of last year.
President.
It needs to be noted that the protection of civilians is under assault, not because international law is unclear.
The Geneva Conventions, international humanitarian law and international human rights law provide a clear framework.
Civilians must be protected and civilian objects must not be targeted.
The crisis before us is not a crisis of norms.
It is a crisis of compliance, accountability and political will.
We welcome the Global initiative to galvanise political commitment to international humanitarian law.
We hope that the recommendations emerging from its various work streams will promote greater compliance with and respect for international humanitarian law, strengthen national implementation, improve civilian harm mitigation and translate political commitment into practical protection on the ground.
In this context, Pakistan believes the council's approach to the protection of civilians should be guided by the following priorities.
First international humanitarian law must be respected in all situations by all parties without selectivity or double standards.
The principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution must be implemented in practice.
Second accountability must be strengthened.
Impunity is an invitation to repetition.
Attacks against civilians, forced displacement, collective punishment, starvation as a method of war and destruction of civilian infrastructure must carry consequences.
Third, humanitarian access must be safe, rapid, sustained and unhindered.
Civilians must never be punished through the denial of food, water, medicine or shelter.
Fourth, the council must give greater priority to prevention, conflict resolution and the peaceful settlement of Disputes resolution 2788 on Strengthening Mechanisms for peaceful settlement of disputes provides an important pathway to prevent conflicts, resolve them before they escalate further and end the suffering of civilian populations.
Finally, emerging technologies must be governed by international law, drones, cyber tools, artificial intelligence and autonomous capabilities must not be used to expand civilian harm, obscure responsibility or target civilian infrastructure.
Technology should serve protection through early warning, demining, humanitarian delivery and civilian casualty tracking, and not deepen civilian suffering.
President, for a child under bombardment, protection is not a legal phrase for a displaced family.
It is the difference between survival and despair for people under occupation, it is the promise that law will prevail over power.
Pakistan will continue to support all efforts to uphold international law to ensure accountability, advance peaceful settlement of disputes and protect civilians wherever they are threatened.
We must remember civilians are not collateral damage.
They are the very people the United Nations was created to save.
And let us therefore recommit to saving succeeding generations from the scourge of war and conflict.
I thank you.
I thank the representative of Pakistan for the statement.
I now give the floor to the representative of Liberia.
Thank you.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
We thank the Briefers for their sobering and important updates at the outset Allow me to recall the fundamental purpose of the rules of war, international humanitarian law was established to restrain the worst excesses of conflict and to preserve a measure of humanity amidst violence.
It exists to shield civilians from the horrors of war and to uphold the dignity of human life, even in times of armed conflict.
Today, however, we are confronted with an alarming global reality in which that protective shield is under severe strain.
We are witnessing a troubling erosion of the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution.
The very foundations of international humanitarian law.
For Liberia, this trend is deeply concerning and wholly unacceptable.
This erosion is not an abstract one, as we just heard from the briefers, and it bears repeating.
In 2025 alone, astonishingly, one civilian make that one father, one mother, one brother, one sister, one son, one daughter.
All non-combatants, one human being was killed every 14 minutes.
Not 14 hours, 14 minutes.
Children have suffered disproportionately through killing, maiming, abduction, recruitment, and exposure to explosive weapons whose consequences will linger for generations in societies, all already under immense pressure.
In far too many conflicts, civilians, including children, are no longer merely trapped in the crossfire.
As we heard, civilians, non-combatants are increasingly subjected to deliberate targeting siege tactics, starvation, forced displacement and terror.
In certain contexts the denial of food, as we heard the denial of water and humanitarian access Has been used as a method of war, placing entire populations at risk of famine and humanitarian catastrophe.
This is not just wrong.
This is not just unconscionable.
It truly is inhumane.
Colleagues .
In April, the emergency relief coordinator said to this council, and I quote, we come here not to remind you of these commitments, but to challenge you to uphold them, end quote.
Liberia echoed that challenge today because it is important today, as our Briefers have reminded us, as when we were told it in April.
Liberia echoes that challenge today.
The credibility of this council depends not only on the commitments we make but on our collective willingness to ensure accountability when those commitments are violated.
It is in this spirit that Liberia has joined the global initiative to galvanize political commitment to international humanitarian law, reaffirming our dedication to strengthening respect for the rules designed to protect civilians from the devastation of war.
We take this responsibility seriously.
Otherwise, what is more important for this body, and especially for this council, than to protect innocent civilian lives? Mr.
president, the increasing use of explosive weapons with wide area effects, as well as drones in densely populated areas, continues to drive devastating levels of civilian harm.
The destruction of hospitals, schools, power grids, water systems, transportation networks and humanitarian infrastructure has become an all too common feature of modern conflict.
These are not simply physical structures, they are the systems that sustain civilian life.
They keep children in classrooms, enable hospitals to function, provide families with essential services, and certainly preserve the resilience of communities.
Their destruction, therefore cannot, must not and should not be viewed merely as an unfortunate consequence of war.
In many instances, it reflects patterns of conduct that inflict long term suffering on civilian populations and undermine prospects for sustainable peace and recovery.
Liberia understands these realities.
We've lived them.
The collapse of civilian infrastructure leaves consequences that persist long after the guns fall silent.
When children are deprived of safe water.
Education and medical care, the future of entire generations is placed at risk.
Reconstruction demands enormous financial resources, but the deepest costs are borne by civilians, especially children, whose opportunities and futures are irreversibly affected.
Mr.
president, war has rules.
These rules apply equally to all parties, in all circumstances.
International humanitarian law is indeed universal in application, it is grounded in not only in legal obligation but also in our shared moral responsibility to humanity.
At the same time, emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and cyber capabilities, are reshaping the character of warfare.
These developments increase both the speed and scale of harm, while raising serious questions regarding accountability, oversight and compliance with international humanitarian law.
In light of these challenges.
Liberia calls for the following actions.
First, the use of explosive weapons with wide area effects in populated areas should be avoided given the grave risk of indiscriminate harm, and all parties must fully comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law.
Second, violations of international humanitarian law, including war crimes, must be met with credible accountability, silence and impunity only deepen suffering and weaken the international legal order.
This council possesses important tools and we must demonstrate the resolve to use them responsibly.
Third, attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, including water systems, electricity networks, healthcare facilities and educational institutions must be independently investigated.
Perpetrators must be held accountable and victims must have access to justice and the appropriate reparations.
Fourth peacekeepers and humanitarian personnel must be protected at all times when they are harmed.
Independent investigations are essential to uphold the rule of law, assure accountability and deter future violations.
Finally, we must restore the primacy of prevention, dialogue diplomacy and full respect for international humanitarian law as the only sustainable pathway toward lasting peace and security.
Mr.
president, at a minimum, we owe civilians and above all, the world's children We owe them the protection of law, the hope of security, and the promise of a future free from the cruelty of war.
Across all geographies, across all conflicts.
The erosion we are witnessing today is the result of human choices.
It can therefore be reversed through collective choices, choices to uphold the law, to protect civilians, and to act decisively when it matters most I thank you for your kind attention.
I thank the representative of Liberia for the statement.
I would floor to the representative of France.
Merci, Monsieur le président.
Monsieur president.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
Mr.
president, thank you for having organised this debate.
The number of speakers inscribed on the list reflects the importance that the international community attaches to this.
Mr.
president I wish first and foremost to thank Madam Director.
Crisis Response Division Ocha and Madam Spoljaric Edgar, president of ICRC, for their briefings, as well as Secretary General for his report on the protection of civilians.
Yet again this year, we have the observation before us that civilians are leading victims of conflict.
More than 36,000 336,000 civilians were killed in 2025.
And let us state from the outset that the reality is that the phenomenon is global in nature and Sudan.
The seizure of Al-fashir by the RSS was compounded by massacres that have been characterized as being on a genocidal trajectory by the fact finding mission.
And in Ukraine, increasingly, civilians and civilian infrastructure being targeted by the Russian government.
The war of the Israeli government in Gaza, in response to the large scale terrorist attacks perpetrated on 7th October 2023 by Hamas, are also central to this assessment, with more than 72,700 Palestinians who were killed since that date.
And we cannot remain silent in the face of these figures, nor can we remain silent in the face of the atrocities being perpetrated by civilians by the a f c M23.
With support from the Rwandan Defence Forces in the DRC.
Mr.
president, the Security Council has stepped forward repeatedly as a guarantor for the protection of civilians, beginning with resolution 1265 and 1995.
The council has a responsibility to act.
It is important for the Council to act as a guarantor for international humanitarian law, demanding stringent compliance therewith.
This requirement needs to be reflected in texts by incorporating the highest standards of law, including for peacekeeping operations, where protection of civilians is one of the main principles.
Accountability also needs to lie at the heart of our efforts There can be no safety and security for civilians without consequences for war criminals.
It is incumbent upon the council to shoulder responsibility through attribution mechanisms that it has established to protect the integrity thereof and to supplement them.
It is also incumbent by the Council to break the cycle of impunity by supporting efforts that are geared towards holding accountable perpetrators of war crimes, including the supporting the efforts of the ICC, whose credibility has only been confirmed by the hostility shown by the perpetrators under prosecution.
The international community also must act to provide assistance to victims.
Safeguarding international humanitarian law is our first line of defence.
We need to act for this to be reinforced.
The global initiative, launched by the ICRC alongside six states including France and five other participants, has been joined by 111 states, and this is paving a credible path to that end, including by addressing new challenges posed by new technologies being used in armed conflict.
We reiterate our call for all states to join this initiative to participate in the international conference which will be held in Jordan on 7th December 2026.
Protection of civilians and the responsibility to prevent, to prosecute and to perpetrate perpetrators to violations of IHL is first and foremost incumbent upon States parties to conflict.
And yet, in the event of a breakdown or inaction, fighting impunity becomes our shared responsibility.
We urge states to prosecute at their level perpetrators of war crimes, crimes against humanity.
France did so in March 2026 by condemning by convicting a former Daesh fighter for crimes against humanity and genocide against the Yazidis in Syria.
Lastly, Mr.
President, the crisis of protection of civilians is reflective of a broader, deeper crisis in our governance, and this is linked to the abusive use of the veto.
The council must restore its ability to act as it is its responsibility in situations of mass atrocities, in order to prevent and to halt the crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity and large scale war.
In this regard, we recall the importance, the tremendous importance that we attach to the Franco Mexican initiative to limit veto rights.
And we call upon all states to join this initiative, which now enjoys the support of 118 states.
Mr.
president, the protection of civilians is a duty of humanity.
The Security Council is among the institutions which share responsibility to ensure enforcement and compliance therewith.
And this is how we will judge the, uh, protection being provided is incumbent upon us to step up to the challenge.
Thank you.
I thank the representative of France.
I give the floor to the representative of Panama.
Agradecemos a su president.
President, we are grateful to the presidency for convening this debate to address an issue which deserves and demands our attention.
We are grateful for the briefings from the director of the Crisis Response Division at Ocha, and Mariano Spoljaric Agar, president of the International Committee of the Red cross.
Those briefings have unequivocally described with tragic clarity the bitterly devastating reality of the situation throughout the world.
We also warmly welcome the representatives of the delegations that honor us with their presence at this open debate.
The Secretary general's report alarmingly depicts the fact that the gap between compliance with international commitments to protect civilians and the reality on the ground continues to widen.
Civilians continue to bear the heaviest burden of hostilities.
This, in a context marked by impunity and ever diminishing respect for international humanitarian law.
More than 37,000 civilians died in 20 armed conflicts in 2025, according to the United Nations That is the equivalent of one civilian death every 14 minutes At that rate, by the end of the first meeting of this debate, more than 12 civilians will have lost their life.
While we sit in this chamber pondering how to protect them.
Ten years after the adoption of resolution 2286 of 2016, the ever more threadbare protection of medical care in armed conflicts is of particularly grave concern.
The destruction of hospitals, schools, power grids, water and sanitation systems, as well as the destruction of other infrastructure crucial to civilian survival, has devastating and protracted effects, which extend far beyond the exact moment in which hostilities can occur.
It is alarming to note the record number of medical personnel, humanitarian personnel and healthcare workers who have been killed.
These include UN civil servants and local personnel.
It is a source of surprise and is spine chilling to note that, according to the Secretary general's report, the significant increase in violence against healthcare personnel since 2026 has been the responsibility of state actors.
They have been responsible for more than double the number of incidents than those committed by non-state actors.
When those assisting victims are attacked.
Our response cannot stop at ambiguous statements or empty promises of investigations that do not bear fruit.
The report also makes clear that hunger and food insecurity continue to be used as a weapon in armed conflicts.
For the first time in two decades, we have received the confirmation of simultaneous situations of famine in Sudan and Gaza.
In Gaza, the civilian population faces bitterly difficult humanitarian conditions in their only place of shelter the camps.
We have recently seen disturbing videos.
Taken in those camps.
We hope they weren't actually true, but it appears that due to a lack of hygiene, civilians and newborn newborns are being bitten by disease carrying rodents, and this is rendering their living conditions even more deplorable In the Sahel, we continue to see the perpetration of terrorist attacks where entire families, girls and boys are suffering unprecedented levels of violence, displacement and humanitarian crises.
The situation in Mali has significantly worsened, with recent terrorist attacks that have claimed innocent lives and left civilians wounded.
In Myanmar, millions of people have been stripped of their fundamental rights.
They have been subjected to violence, exclusion.
They have been uprooted and they have been forgotten.
Entire families have been forced to flee their homes in search of the bare minimum to lead a life of dignity.
We wish to underscore that in all the aforementioned contexts, the situation is particularly dire for vulnerable groups.
Women and girls continue to be disproportionately affected.
At the same time, men and boys are frequently subject to forced recruitment, arbitrary detention and disappearance.
Conflict related sexual violence continues to be used as a tactic of war.
At the same time, the recruitment and use of children, amputations and permanent injury, as well as psychological trauma, leave intergenerational scars that prove difficult to heal.
Technological developments are leading to the growing use of drones, artificial intelligence and other technologies that brings with it significant challenges.
As a result, it is vital to retain human control over their use and to move towards regulatory frameworks that are compatible with international law, president impunity fuels the recurrence of violations of international law.
For this reason, we hail efforts aimed at investigating and punishing war crimes and crimes against humanity.
We also hail the work of judicial mechanisms designed to guarantee justice and reparation for victims.
The protection of civilians cannot be limited to statements of concern.
Protecting them requires sustained political will, leadership and tangible actions.
Today, more than ever before, we must repudiate the normalisation of brutality, and we must reaffirm that international humanitarian law is neither optional, nor can it be optional or a partial imperative.
Thank you.
I thank the representative of Panama.
I now give the floor to the representative of the United States.
Thank you and thank you to our Briefers.
We welcome the opportunity to to discuss the protection of civilians in armed conflict across armed conflicts in 2025.
Civilians continue to bear the heaviest burden.
Lives lost, injuries sustained.
Families displaced, civilian infrastructure destroyed, and communities cut off from lifesaving aid and vital services in the midst of these conflicts.
Even those who work to provide much needed humanitarian support face violence and attacks, with fatalities among humanitarian workers at record levels.
In the United States, under the leadership of President Trump, he is committed to protecting civilians first and foremost by bringing an end to wars and conflicts around the world.
At the same time, we call on all parties in ongoing conflicts to take every feasible measure to prevent any attacks on civilians.
Far too many civilians have suffered, while perpetrators have hidden behind legal and political impunity.
The war in Sudan is the cause of the world's largest humanitarian crisis, including systematic, severe conflict related sexual violence.
There is no military solution to this conflict.
We call on the warring parties to cease hostilities, allow unhindered humanitarian access to all parts of the country, and to protect civilians in the DRC.
The Washington Peace Accords and the Doha Framework Agreement present the best chance for civilians of eastern DRC to enjoy peace and stability.
President Trump remains fully committed to the implementation of these agreements, and we urge the parties to both fulfil their obligations.
We remain prepared to impose accountability measures for spoilers to peace in Europe.
The Russia-Ukraine war has had especially devastating effects on civilians and civilian infrastructure, especially the energy grid, and the thousands of Ukrainian children forcibly deported from the occupied territories.
President Trump has made clear that this violence must end.
We call for an immediate and comprehensive cease fire in advance of a durable and negotiated resolution of the war, and for Russia to allow humanitarian workers to access areas under its control.
In Burma, persistent violence has devastated the lives of civilians and increased the country's political and economic insecurity.
We remain prepared to engage with all stakeholders to end the violence and resolve this conflict in the Gulf region.
Iran's deliberate targeting of civilians demonstrates a lack of respect for international humanitarian law and is at odds with the principles of international peace and security.
Just yesterday, when we were in this chamber to condemn Iran's outrageous and unacceptable attacks on the UAE's Barakah nuclear power plant, which provides up to a quarter of the country's energy needs.
Further to that, Iran's mining and threatening actions in the Strait of Hormuz undermine maritime security, the safety of seafarers and hold the global economy hostage harming communities around the world.
All parties in these conflicts and all conflicts must comply with international humanitarian law as applicable, and we call for an end to impunity for those that violate it.
We will work to continue with members of the Security Council to impose consequences on those who engage in conduct prohibited by sanctions and arms embargoes.
Members of the Security Council have a responsibility to use the tools at this council's disposal to hold accountable those that perpetuate violence and hinder the pursuit of peace.
Thank you I thank the representative of the US for the statement and ask the floor to the Russian Federation.
Mr.
president, we are thankful to the Briefers for their contribution to the discussion.
The Russian Federation has been systematically supporting efforts to protect civilians in armed conflict.
We believe that saving civilian lives is one of the paramount principles of international humanitarian law, which should not become hostage to any short sighted interests.
The thematic report of the Secretary General that has been submitted reflects the fact that the situation in this area continues to require close scrutiny.
The data in the document, 37,000 victims and 20 armed conflicts in the year 2025, as compared to 36,000 in 14 conflicts in 2024, hardly allows one to concur with the conclusion of the authors about the overall reduction in civilian casualties during the reporting period.
This these grim statistics continue to be first and foremost linked to the developments in the Middle East.
Despite the current ceasefire, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza, 856 people died in the strip and approximately 2500 were wounded.
The overall number of Palestinians killed by Israeli troops as a result of unfortunate incidents in 2026 was 42 people, including ten children and two women, in Iran.
As of the end of April, the authorities announced at least 3375 civilians killed and 32,314 wounded.
More than 1000 educational institutions have been damaged as and 200 medical infrastructure facilities have also been damaged.
We all recall the tragic deaths of girls in the school in Mina, but once again, it behooves us to note that glaringly disproportionate coverage of certain regional subjects, specifically the Ukrainian crisis and as a consequence, the yawning gap in terms of accounting for violations by the Ukrainian armed forces, which the Russian civilian population has been encountering.
To bridge this gap, we will provide you with specific information and data.
In the 12 months of 2025, Ukrainian resulted in 6483 civilian casualties, at least 5418 people were wounded and maimed, and at least 1065 civilians were killed.
These people became the victims of deliberate and indiscriminate attacks, extrajudicial executions and other criminal actions which were perpetrated perpetrated pursuant to the instructions of the political leadership of the Kyiv regime since February 2022.
At least 7746 civilians were killed.
The overall number of civilians who suffered at the hands of Ukrainian fighters during this period was at the minimum, 26,148 people.
Of them, at least 8402 people were injured and maimed to varying degrees since the start of the so-called counter-terrorism operation of Kyiv in 2014.
Actually, this is an aggression targeting the population of Donbas.
The targeting the their own citizens.
At the time this was unleashed, unleashed by the Those who seized power in Kyiv, usurped power in Kyiv.
The number of people who suffered as a result of the criminal actions of the Kyiv regime reached at least 40,230 civilians of.
Of whom 12,381 were killed.
And this is just information about murders and injuries and the.
Among the main trends for 2025, according the Ukrainian crisis, there was torture, registered sexual violence by the Ukrainian armed Forces troops and the practice of double tap strikes when attacks were systematically targeting rescue teams, medics and communal services, who rushed to areas where emergencies were taking place to help people.
And there were deliberate destructions of energy infrastructure, including as a demonstrative breach of the ceasefire.
Mr.
president, as is rightly noted in the Secretary General's report, technological progress is fundamentally altering the nature of modern day conflicts, generating new challenges for the protection of civilians.
We have repeatedly drawn the attention of those gathered in this chamber to the fact that the main means of killing and maiming civilian populations for Kyiv continues to be attack drones.
In April 2026 alone, Ukrainian drones caused 701 civilian casualties.
87 people died in this way, nine of ten civilian casualties as a result of the aggression by Kyiv died or were injured as a result of drone strikes.
And this is taking place against the backdrop of the inhumane trend of gamification, adding games or game like elements to hostilities through the Ukrainian Drone army program, each confirmed striking of a target generates bonus points for the drone operator, which subsequently can be exchanged for more sophisticated drones.
This kind of a practice undermines a fundamental principles of waging warfare and generates additional risks for civilians, inter alia, insofar as the motivation for operators shifts from legal assessment of the status of the object and to gaining a reward, the obligation to comply with the principle of distinction is diluted for the operator.
Decisions on the use of force are taken not on the basis of military necessity nor proportionality, but on the basis of the contagiousness of goals through the incentives based system from the moral standpoint.
This practice warps the very perception of human life and responsibility for the use of lethal force.
As a result, Ukrainian armed force operators are essentially hunting for civilian means of transportation.
Mr.
president, the month of May is the May, the month when we in Russia commemorate Victory Day and, uh the Great Patriotic War, uh, which was unleashed by Hitlerite, Germany.
And in this connection, what warrants particular attention is the military activity of Germany, which has become a global leader in the production and sale of new types of weapons.
For example, the country is one of the main providers of weapons accounting, according to open sources, for approximately 30% of such transactions fueling military operations in Gaza.
This is a situation which is under consideration by the International Court of Justice of the United Nations under the Nicaragua Against Germany case.
During this case, the court recalled the obligation of states vis a vis weapons deliveries to parties to conflict in order to avoid these weapons being used for violations of international law That notwithstanding, in December of 2025, Germany and Israel signed an agreement expanding the weapons deliveries programs.
The new treaty will increase the scope of the agreement, signed approximately two years ago to an approximately by another approximately $3.1 billion.
As a result, the overall value of the program has exceeded $6.7 billion.
As seen in media outlets.
This deal is the largest arms sale contract in all of Israel's history.
In Japan, in January 2026, Germany and Israel signed a document on cooperation and cyber security in the use of new technologies, and these news are generating concern insofar as the use of AI during the war in Gaza is something which unfortunately is a a grim situation as well known throughout the whole world.
And this news is considered in light of another report, the Brave Germany program, through which Berlin and Kiev have reached an agreement on grants based support for Ukrainian German startups working in defense technologies and developing new approaches to waging war.
We are talking about uncrewed systems, AI decisions related to new generation community communications and the development of missile systems.
There are no doubts whatsoever about what kind of startups are being referred to here.
This is the industrial capabilities of Germany that we are talking about.
More than $1 billion have been earmarked by Berlin for the development of intermediate and long range systems.
Furthermore, Germany over the past two years sponsored an additional ?300 million for the Czech Munitions Initiative for Ukraine, which is also being financed by other European countries, including Denmark.
The.
The cluster munitions from Czechia are killing civilians, including children, thereby two conflicts notorious for violations of I h including the use of new technologies, are linked by one country, Germany, a country which twice initiated world wars, is now becoming one of the leading donors to armed conflicts, inter alia, by delivering weapons for use on territory where its army was deployed twice in the 20th century alone.
We believe firmly that the role of Berlin in these crisis requires a separate consideration.
Let us recall that Germany is subject to limitations on participation in armed conflict, and, according to the 1990 Treaty on Final Settlement with respect to Germany and the specific provisions of the German Constitution.
Mr.
president, the Latin aphorism in times of war, the law falls silent has long become obsolete.
Today we are adhering to a new principle Even law has its own rules.
And these rules were set out comprehensively more than half a century ago in the Geneva Conventions and the corresponding protocols there, under these norms were developed as a reaction to the horrors perpetrated on the territory of our country during the Second World War.
Our shared goal right now is to preserve and to uphold it all.
IHL states bear responsibility for ensuring compliance therewith.
However, singling out in this context the role of the so-called International Criminal Court, as is done in the Secretary General's report, is something which we think is unacceptable.
This pseudo judicial organ, which is tainted by machinations, politicization and neo colonialist practices, has long ago had for a long time now had nothing to do with the real Themis justice and law.
Let us recall that continual quest for seeking gaps in existing legal regulations, or the creation of additional platforms for its discussion will hardly result in progress being made in the implementation of IHL.
In this connection, the advancement of additional products projects such as the global initiative of the ICRC, something which we see as being era of redundant.
This goes beyond the framework of this sector of international law, dilutes normative provisions and paves the way for interpretation, which goes beyond the framework of the existing international legal basis.
Thank you.
I thank the representative of the Russian Federation for the statement.
I now give the floor to Latvia.
I thank you, Mr.
President, and I would like for us to thank.
Director for chairman and the president of the ICRC, um, Mariana Spoljaric, for the very powerful briefings.
Violations of international humanitarian law are on the rise.
We know that in the Middle East, in Ukraine, in Sudan, South Sudan, DRC, Myanmar, and the list goes on and on.
The increasing numbers of attacks on civilians humanitarian personnel, journalists are horrifying and beyond any justification, and it is impossible to fully capture the immense suffering inflicted on civilians in one single intervention.
But I'll make three points.
First, this is not a crisis of law.
It is a crisis of compliance and impunity.
Attacks against civilians are increasingly, increasingly attributable to states that tend to rely on assertions of military advantage.
Yet the military advantage of attacks endangering civilians and medical personnel is often questionable.
Disproportionate, while the harm inflicted on civilians, if they survive at all, is life altering and can last for decades, if not permanently, parties to all conflicts must abide by international humanitarian law, the baseline of our shared humanity, through which the international community agreed that such attacks, ignoring the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution are a breach of international obligations.
Latvia stresses the importance of holding the perpetrators accountable.
We must call for investigations, identify the perpetrators, impose sanctions, ensure reparations for victims and end the cycle of impunity.
The International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice are instrumental in delivering justice for victims and survivors and should be supported.
Accountability efforts must also integrate the Women Peace security agenda, ensuring that crimes such as conflict related sexual violence disproportionately affected, affecting women and girls are documented, addressed and remedied, and that their voices are central to achieving peace.
Second, 20% of the casualties are children.
20,000 Ukrainian children have been forcibly, unlawfully deported or forcibly transferred by Russia, and around 1.6 million children are militarised.
Borussia.
Thousands of bodies of children remain under the rubble in Gaza.
Roughly half of the gang members in Haiti are children, some as young as eight years old.
International humanitarian law entitles children affected by armed conflicts to special respect and protection, including age appropriate treatment and detention, access to education, food and health care.
Reunification of unaccompanied children with their families, and protection from recruitment Our support to children affected by armed conflict, particularly children formerly recruited, should be trauma informed and gender sensitive, and we must support UN mandated missions in the areas of child protection, such as deployment of children protection advisors and peacekeeping operations to provide specialized expertise, including monitoring and reporting, to achieve accountability on.
The exact same applies to the UN Mission Mandates for Women Protection.
Third, new technology does not mean new rules or even worse, no rules at all.
With AI and autonomous systems becoming a reality on the battlefield, we need to reiterate that the use of new technologies has to be in line with international humanitarian law.
AI enabled systems cannot displace human cognitive agency judgment and responsibility.
Given that armed forces have rapidly expanded investments in AI and its deployments on the battlefield, we call on all states to identify ways to harness its potential to better the protection of civilians.
The use of drones in conflict areas has also increased sharply.
A nuanced and context specific understanding of drone use that adheres to international humanitarian law is essential.
Risks and potential harms are significant but there may also be circumstances in which their use can contribute to efforts to protect civilians and support informed decision making in armed conflict.
This is why Latvia facilitates cross-sectoral dialogue to promote a shared understanding of the key risks and protection challenges associated with the use of drones and related technologies, as well as potential opportunities for their use for civilians and their protection.
And as the council, we should have further discussions on the intersection between conflicts and technologies that take on board perspectives from all sectors.
Mr.
president, Latvia welcomes the global initiative to galvanise political commitment to international humanitarian law, and we call on all states to join it.
The protection of civilians is not only about the harms on the frontlines.
It is about protecting innocents who are dragged into conflict on behind numbers.
There are human beings children, women, men, families.
It is about our shared responsibility to uphold the standard of humanity and the UN charter that we all agreed on.
I thank you.
I thank the representative of Latvia for the statement.
I now give the floor to the representative of Colombia.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
Allow me to begin by expressing gratitude for the convening of this open debate.
I also wish to thank Miss Edima Sonu, director of the Crisis Response Division at the office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, and Miss Mirjana Spoljaric, president of the International Committee of the Red cross.
I thank them both for their sensitive and comprehensive briefings.
I also wish to extend warm greetings to all delegations that are today participating in this open debate.
More than 25 years after the adoption of resolution 1265, the Secretary General's report confirms that the protection of civilians in armed conflicts continues to diminish alarmingly.
The data is devastating.
More than 120 active armed conflicts around the world.
More than 37,000 civilians killed in 2025, a record number of attacks against journalists, humanitarian personnel and healthcare workers, and a sustained increase in conflict related sexual violence and in grave violations perpetrated against girls and boys.
This data reflects levels of civilian harm that we must neither normalise nor accept.
For this reason, Colombia condemns in the strongest possible terms attacks against civilians and critical infrastructure, as well as the alarming spike in attacks against medical personnel, hospitals and medical transport This at the very same moment that we are marking the 10th anniversary of resolution 2286, the Secretary General's report also sounds the alarm at a deeply concerning trend.
That is, the ever increasing use of excessively broad and flexible interpretations of the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.
Consequently, in order to effectively implement our commitments, we must first reaffirm, with absolute clarity and without exceptions, the obligation to uphold and enforce the obligations arising from the Geneva Conventions and their additional protocols.
Accountability is equally pivotal.
Colombia believes that it is fundamental to promote robust, impartial and independent investigations into violations of international law We must also support universal jurisdiction mandates, as applicable, in our legal constitutional frameworks and our due judicial systems.
This.
In order to guarantee justice for all victims.
We must also prevent the transfer or supply of weapons to actors.
In connection with whom there is a clear risk that that material may be used to perpetrate grave violations of international humanitarian law.
The need to make more tangible progress on accountability is a matter of particularly pressing urgency.
When we consider the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory.
There, the magnitude of destruction, the dizzyingly high number of civilian victims Restrictions on humanitarian assistance and attacks against infrastructure crucial for civilian survival, and attacks against humanitarian personnel raise grave concerns around stakeholders commitments.
Overwhelmingly, the commitments of state actors to international humanitarian law.
Without credible efforts to ensure accountability and without political and legal consequences for violations.
The collective commitment to the protection of civilians runs the risk of losing both effectiveness and legitimacy.
It is also vital that we assess in terms of tactics, operations and doctrines which military decisions are preventing the protection of civilians from being a genuine priority at all times.
New technologies and the growing use of artificial intelligence in military contexts demands that we reflect with urgency upon how to guarantee effective compliance with the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution.
Contexts such as that in the occupied Palestinian territory, Haiti, Ukraine or Sudan are examples of how civilians are harmed by the use of explosive weapons in densely populated areas.
Technological innovation cannot ultimately result in the watering down of existing legal obligations, nor can it lead to a reduction in the right and proper protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure.
President Colombia is cognisant that significant challenges remain in this field, and it is precisely for this reason that we reaffirm our commitment to the compliance with international humanitarian law.
Driven by that knowledge, we have recently created the National Commission for International Humanitarian Law.
Canady.
This mechanism is designed to bolster the implementation, coordination, and promotion of international humanitarian law within the country.
I wish to conclude by reiterating that respect for the norms that protect civilians is not only a legal obligation.
Rather, it is also a vital prerequisite for a just and lasting peace.
We appeal to all armed actors to fully comply with the provisions of international humanitarian law, because defending the protection of civilians today means also keeping alive the possibilities of reconciliation and a sustainable peace.
For.
I thank the representative of Colombia for the statement.
I now give the floor to the representative of Denmark.
President, and thank you to China for organising this debate.
Let me also thank Director Hosono and President Spoljaric for their powerful briefings.
The picture you have painted is painfully clear.
Attacks on civilians are on the rise globally with increasing frequency.
Increasing brutality and increasing impunity in Ukraine, civilians in cities and energy infrastructure remain under constant bombardment.
In Lebanon, civilians and the infrastructure indispensable to their survival are caught in the crossfire.
And in Gaza, the war has left 80% of all structures destroyed.
While civilians continue to face a critical risk of famine.
And in Afghanistan, continued violence has resulted in numerous attacks on civilians, including strikes on medical facilities.
Mr.
president, these are not isolated incidents.
Rather, they reflect a deeper, more insidious trend a trend of disregard for international humanitarian law by state actors and armed groups of collective commitments, unfulfilled of decisions of this council disregarded.
Today's conflicts are rarely confined to borders or battlefields.
Instead, their consequences often extend across the globe.
We see this clearly in and around critical maritime routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, where conflict risks deepening hunger worldwide and the heaviest impact fall on children, women and girls.
New technologies are also making conflicts more unpredictable and more deadly.
These dynamics are starkly visible in Sudan.
The ultraviolence of drones, the weaponization of hunger, the obstruction of humanitarian access, and attacks on civilian infrastructure have had devastating consequences across the country.
Civilians continue to endure unimaginable violence while the threat of famine continues to loom large.
Attacks on medical care in armed conflict are also on the rise globally.
Hospitals, ambulances, health workers, patients and medical humanitarian personnel are being attacked, obstructed and denied protection in conflicts around the world.
Mr.
president against this backdrop, allow me to speak to three areas for action.
First, the Council must act decisively to ensure both the protection and accountability for the perpetrators of attacks on civilians, UN medical and humanitarian workers international humanitarian law is clear as we mark ten years of resolution 2286, we must also renew our commitment to the Special Protected Status of Medical care in armed conflict, including through better reporting, monitoring and accountability mechanisms.
Second, Mr.
President, new methods of warfare are accelerating risks to civilians and to the rules designed to protect them.
The growing use of drones and AI enabled decision support and targeting systems raises serious concerns These technologies may offer opportunities for improved early warning, accountability and protection.
However, without clear safeguards in the way these systems are designed, program and deployed, and without context appropriate human judgment and control, these weapon systems also pose risks for safety and security risks of bias, unintended engagement, loss of control, and diversion to unauthorized uses.
We must ensure that the development and use of autonomous weapons is in full compliance with international humanitarian law, including the principles of distinction.
Third and finally, Mr.
President, the scale of civilian suffering we see today is inseparable from the crisis of impunity.
This needs to be acknowledged and addressed.
The vast majority of member states remain committed to international law.
The UN charter, the International Court of Justice, the International Criminal Court and to the peaceful settlement of disputes.
Yet we still witness widespread and grave attacks on hospitals, civilian infrastructure, humanitarian operations, food systems, peace operations, and civilians themselves.
We therefore welcome the global initiative as a way to reaffirm the norms and frameworks built over the past 80 years.
We also call for support for independent investigations, cooperation with international accountability mechanisms, universal jurisdiction and and engagement in new initiatives to move the agenda forward.
In closing, the international community cannot meet this crisis with statements alone.
What is needed is the will to act.
Our commitment must be clear and our resolve must be firm.
Violations of international humanitarian law cannot be ignored, excused or normalised.
I thank you.
I thank the representative of Denmark for the statement.
I now give the floor to the representative of the United Kingdom.
Thank you, president, and I thank Director Wassoulou and President Spoljaric Edgar for their briefings today.
I will make three points.
First, it is critical that we press all parties to conflict, to not only uphold their legal obligations, but to do all they can to protect civilians and minimize harm.
We are deeply concerned at the Secretary-General's reporting of 37,000 civilian deaths in conflicts in 2025, with Gaza and Sudan suffering the highest toll.
This scale of reported attacks on medical personnel and facilities is alarming.
This is all the more horrifying as we mark the ten year anniversary of Security Council Resolution 2286, which demanded an end to these attacks.
We call on all parties to the conflict to comply with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law, to protect civilians.
Second president.
As conflicts become increasingly complex, we need to hone our tools and evolve our approaches to best protect civilians.
Technological advances, including AI, are changing the way conflicts are fought.
As the Secretary General made clear, we are witnessing a rapid expansion in the use of weaponised UAE in Conflicts, including Ukraine, Sudan, Lebanon and the DRC, with reports of the targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure.
And having listened to the extraordinary intervention of our Russian colleague.
Today, I feel compelled to respond to the hypocrisy as part of its war of aggression in Ukraine.
It has killed over 150 civilians this month alone.
Russia is on track to fire more drones into Ukraine this month than any other since the start of the war, killing dozens, injuring hundreds and striking homes and civilian infrastructure, including preschools.
But technological advances can also support the protection of civilians.
For example, UN peacekeeping missions are harnessing technology to improve situational awareness and protection.
And we should continue to support this.
Finally, president, the protection of civilians depends on our collective action.
All member states, regional organizations and the UN play a critical role.
We should continue using our diplomatic channels to press parties, to conflict for humanitarian access and the protection of aid workers, including by supporting the ICRC Global Initiative.
The United Kingdom will continue to use its role in this council to advance the protection of civilians and accountability, and we are also proud to have launched with international partners the coalition for Atrocity Prevention and Justice for Sudan, to support civilians in one of the most destructive conflicts.
We look forward to continuing this international coordination to to support civilians in conflict wherever they are.
I thank you.
I thank the representative of the United Kingdom for the statement.
I now give the floor to the representative of Bahrain.
Shukran Seed rice.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
Allow me to thank the People's Republic of China for convening this important annual debate.
We also thank Miss Adam Watson, director of Crisis Response Division at the office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, and Miss Mariana Spohrer Spoljaric, president of the International Committee of the Red cross, for their valuable briefings.
The Kingdom of Bahrain would like to begin by referring to the recent report of the United Nations Secretary General on the protection of civilians.
The report indicated that since 2025, one civilian has been killed every 14 minutes.
This reflects the alarming level of armed conflicts in conflict zones.
It also indicates that grave violations of international humanitarian law, amid blatant breaches of the principles of the UN charter, as well as of humanitarian and moral values.
Civilians in conflict zones, including women and children, continue to bear the heaviest brunt of armed conflicts worldwide, including in Gaza, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lebanon, Myanmar, Nigeria, Ukraine and Yemen, and others.
This comes amid a sharp increase in humanitarian needs and a noticeable decline in the delivery of humanitarian assistance to those who mostly need it.
These developments underscore the urgent need to intensify international efforts to protect civilians and reduce escalating violations in this regard.
We value the global initiative to galvanise political commitment to international humanitarian law.
Mr.
president, allow me today to focus on three main points.
First, there remains a wide gap between the normative framework for the protection of civilians, which is based on international law and rooted in the work of the Security Council, and between actual implementation.
This calls for strengthening compliance with international humanitarian law and international human rights law.
This year, we have witnessed a flagrant and deliberate violation of international law, represented by the unjustified attacks carried out by the Islamic Republic of Iran against GCC member states and Jordan using ballistic missiles and drones.
These attacks deliberately targeted civilian objects, infrastructure and vital facilities.
The attacks involved the indiscriminate use of weapons in populated, populated civilian areas.
We have also the petrochemical company as the glaring evidence to this kind of blatant targeting in Bahrain.
Despite the Security Council's condemnation of these acts through resolution 2817.
Attacks on residential areas and energy facilities continue in light of Iran's intransigence and its failure to comply with Security Council Resolution 2817 and related resolutions, as well as its actions disrupting the freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
The repercussions on international navigation and global economic stability are worsening.
This includes impacts on energy and food security, particularly in countries with fragile economies.
This lead me leads me to my second point.
In 2025, at least 147 million people were classified as facing acute food insecurity due to various conflicts.
The situation is expected to worsen as a result of ongoing violence, the destruction of infrastructure, the disruption of food production and livelihoods, the rising food prices and severe climate conditions.
The World Food Programme has also warned warned that approximately 445 million additional people could face acute food insecurity or even what is worse, if escalation in the Middle East continues, especially in those countries who rely on imports of food, energy and fertilisers in Asia and Africa.
Third, modern technologies have created a significant positive opportunities.
Artificial intelligence, for example, has contributed to enhancing the monitoring of food insecurity, predicting displacement, detecting landmines and improving information collection and analysis to reduce and mitigate expected harm to civilians.
However.
These technologies also carry increasing risks, especially with the growing use of drones as well as artificial intelligence in military operations, all of which heighten threats to civilians.
They expanded use of information and communication technology in armed conflicts, as well as cyber warfare, also raises serious concerns regarding compliance with international humanitarian law, including the rapid spread of misinformation and disinformation that may harm civilians and fuel conflicts.
In conclusion, Mr.
President, the Kingdom of Bahrain affirms that protection of civilians in armed conflicts is both a legal and moral imperative.
This noble goal can only be achieved through full compliance with international law, international humanitarian law and international human rights law.
It also requires a unified international efforts to achieve comprehensive and sustainable peace, which requires, in turn, genuine political will, strengthened international cooperation and the effective use and harnessing of all tools of influence to ensure the protection of civilians, safeguard their human dignity and prevent the targeting of humanitarian workers.
Thank you I thank the representative of Bahrain for the statement.
I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of China.
Colleagues, I thank Director Osorno and President Spoljaric for the briefings.
Civilians are the primary victims in armed conflicts.
The world today is undergoing transformation and turmoil, and hot spot conflicts are persisting and escalating, claiming massive numbers of innocent lives and tearing apart countless families.
The Secretary General's report points out that last year, globally, over 20 conflicts caused the deaths of at least 37,000 civilians and displaced over 100 million people.
The harsh reality once again warns us that we must have a greater sense of urgency and take more robust actions to protect civilians.
I will make four points.
First, we must promote the political settlement of hotspot issues and eliminate violence and security threats.
Every day conflicts drag on is another day of suffering for civilians.
Only by completely ending conflicts will we be able to fundamentally protect civilians.
All parties should follow the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security and commit to resolving disputes through dialogue and consultation for the early attainment of lasting peace.
The Security Council should fulfil its primary responsibility of maintaining international peace and security by taking responsible actions to promote ceasefires.
The conflict in Iran has already inflicted severe losses on the people in Iran and other regional countries.
China calls upon the parties to maintain the momentum of easing the situation and reach through dialogue and consultation, a solution that accommodates the concerns of all parties.
We call upon the parties concerned to respond to the call of the international community, reopen the shipping lane as soon as possible, and jointly keep global production and supply chains stable and unfettered.
Gaza should not be a permanent battlefield.
It is imperative to realize a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire and expand humanitarian access for an early end to the suffering of civilians.
Second, we must remain committed to defending the international rule of law and firmly safeguard the bottom line for the protection of civilians.
War, too, has rules.
However, the methods of conflict have repeatedly stooped to new lows.
Schools, hospitals and towns where civilians gather have become targets for military operations Humanitarian workers, medical workers and peacekeepers have become become targets of attacks.
It's imperative to further enhance the authority and effectiveness of peacekeeping operations.
Compliance with international humanitarian law is a binding obligation on all parties.
Any double standards and selective application are unacceptable.
China, together with France.
Brazil, Jordan, Kazakhstan, South Africa and the ICRC, launched the Initiative on International Humanitarian Law with a view to galvanising firm commitment to IHL.
We call on more countries to join the initiative to jointly promote respect for and implementation of IHL.
China appreciates the ICRC and other humanitarian organisations for their contribution to the protection of civilians in conflict.
Calls upon the international community to step up political and financial support for humanitarian operations and ensure safe and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian assistance.
Third, we should advocate technology for good to help guarantee the safety and security of civilians.
The misuse and abuse of technologies such as AI and Uav's have brought new challenges to the safety and security of civilians.
China has always advocated the notions of people, centredness and technology for good, and proposes that military applications such as AI should not undermine the common well-being of humanity, and that relevant weapons systems must remain at all times under human control and in line with I, H, L and other applicable international law.
UN peacekeeping operations should harness emerging technologies prudently to enhance their capabilities in situational awareness, reconnaissance and monitoring, and crisis response among others, to better support and guarantee humanitarian operations and strengthen protection of civilians in conflict areas.
Fourth, we should adhere to ownership by countries, by the countries concerned and enhance their capacity in the protection of civilians.
States bear the primary responsibility for protecting civilians.
The international community should, in a targeted manner, strengthen the capacity of the countries concerned to protect civilians, fully respect the will of the countries concerned and refrain from imposing interference.
Poverty and underdevelopment are the root causes of conflicts and also major obstacles to their resolution.
It is important to address both the symptoms and root causes.
Support the countries concerned in economic development, poverty eradication, improving livelihood, eliminating the breeding ground for extremism, conflict and violence, and promote sustainable security through sustainable development Any illegal unilateral sanctions that bypass the authorisation of the Security Council will undermine the governance capacity of the countries concerned and aggravate the suffering of the civilians, and must be firmly rejected.
Colleagues, China consistently attaches great importance to the protection of civilians, stays committed to promoting the political settlement of hotspot issues, actively participates in UN peacekeeping operations and helps relevant developing countries improve their governance capacity under the relevant South South cooperation framework.
We stand ready to work with the international community to eliminate the scourge of war at an early date, build a world of universal security and lasting peace, and ensure happiness and tranquillity for the people of all countries.
I now resume my functions as president of the Council.
I wish to remind all speakers to limit their statements to no more than three minutes, in order to enable the council to carry out its work expeditiously.
The flashing light on the microphone will prompt speakers to bring their remarks to a close after three minutes.
I now give the floor to the representative of Kazakhstan.
Mr.
president, my delegation extends its gratitude to China for convening this vital annual open debate.
We also extend appreciation to the Director of Crisis Response Division and ICRC president for their insightful, emotional and worrisome briefings.
We meet at a critical time.
The Secretary-General's Annual report underscores the urgent need for collective action to address evolving threats to civilians.
As we clearly heard from the Briefers in 2025, only civilians continue to suffer at an alarming level in armed conflicts facing widespread deaths, injuries, tortures, sexual violence and forced displacement.
Civilian objects, including homes and essential infrastructure, were systematically damaged and razed to the ground.
Indiscriminate attacks and disproportionate use of force in densely populated areas caused severe civilian harm.
While funding cuts have severely limited the humanitarian system's capacity to respond effectively.
The erosion of international norms is deeply concerning.
International humanitarian law continues to be disregarded and distorted in the pursuit of military objectives.
Against this backdrop, there is an urgent need to reinvigorate respect for IHL and ensure its full and effective implementation.
Kazakhstan remains fully committed to this mission.
Therefore, in September 2024, Kazakhstan alongside Brazil, China, France Jordan and South Africa, together with the I, launched the Global initiative to galvanise political commitment to IHL.
We are encouraged that this important initiative has gathered.
As of now, the support of 111 countries and counting.
We invite all other Member States to join this initiative.
Mr.
president, excellencies.
Ten years since the Security Council adopted resolution 2286 were deeply worried that violence and attacks against medical facilities, personnel and transport are on the rise.
The ability of the wounded and sick to receive medical care without discrimination is a fundamental tenet of IHL.
We must promote more systemic implementation of existing frameworks to ensure the protection of medical care in conflict.
Additionally, the rapid development of military applications of emerging technologies is reshaping the conduct of warfare, creating new risks for civilians and giving rise to humanitarian, legal and ethical concerns.
We must work together to mitigate technological technology related security risks.
Tragically, civilians, particularly women and children continue to bear the brunt of this conflict and their devastating long term impacts.
Tens of thousands of children and women from approximately 60 countries remain detained in north east Syrian camps in dire conditions with scarce basic services.
We must endeavour to repatriate these women and children to their countries of origin safely and with dignity.
Kazakhstan has already returned over 750 women and children to home and successfully integrated, integrated 90% of those repatriated.
We can share our positive experience with others.
Kazakhstan also firmly believes in the importance of locally led peacebuilding initiatives, empowering local communities to address conflict root causes and build sustainable peace is essential for long term stability and effective civilian protection.
The international community, including the UN system and its peace building architecture, should increase support to this vital effort.
In conclusion, Kazakhstan stands ready to work constructively with all partners to advance the protection of civilians agenda and build a more peaceful and secure world for all.
I thank you.
I thank the representative of Kazakhstan for the statement I give the floor to the representative of Algeria.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
I would like to congratulate China for assuming the presidency of the Security Council.
I would also extend my sincere appreciation for convening this important meeting.
My gratitude goes also to Miss Adams and Miss Mirjana Spoljaric for their sobering yet alarming assessment of the global state of the protection of civilians in conflict.
President.
The Secretary General report reveals substantial erosion in compliance with international humanitarian law.
As we deliberate in this chamber.
Millions, millions of civilians still endure every single day the obstruction of humanitarian assistance.
The horrors of forced displacement, the weaponization of starvation, and women, children and the elderly suffering excessively as we see it in Sudan, in Lebanon, in Gaza and elsewhere.
Mr.
president, this situation is intolerable.
It is untenable.
It is a shame for humanity that it is a shame for all members of the United Nations that such horrors still occur nowadays.
For Algeria, this council, this Security Council must address three critical imperatives.
First, compliance with international humanitarian law is not optional.
It is an obligation.
It is the duty of the international community and especially the Security Council to ensure respect and implementation of international humanitarian law in all circumstances, without double standards.
As per common article.
First, in Geneva Conventions, this duty is reiterated in several resolutions of this body, and the Council must enforce the full implementation of its resolution without selectivity.
Second, president safeguarding humanitarian access and protecting humanitarian personnel.
The alarming rise of fatalities among those delivering life saving assistance is completely unacceptable.
In this regard, we condemn attacks targeting humanitarian workers, attacking, targeting United Nations personnel and civilian infrastructure, hospitals, power stations, water distribution grid.
These acts are blatant violation of international humanitarian law and Security Council Resolution 2730.
Algeria calls on all parties in conflict to facilitate rapid, sustained and principled delivery of assistance and to respect to respect fully humanitarian corridors and ceasefires that protect civilian populations.
Third, addressing the root cause of conflict is paramount.
Algeria firmly believes that protecting civilians will remain a partial solution unless we address the root causes of conflicts.
This council must redouble its efforts through diplomacy, through depletion, mediation to silence the guns, to put an end to impunity, to implement accountability and foster inclusive, nationally owned political process to peace.
Mr.
president.
Human life are equal and should be protected everywhere.
Let us rise to our responsibility and the purpose of the United Nations Charter to safeguard our shared humanity, to ensure that accountability, rendition of account prevails, and that the protection of civilians become a tangible reality on the ground.
I thank you.
I thank the representative of Algeria for the statement.
I give the floor to the representative of Switzerland.
Mr.
president, I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of 27 members of the Group of friends on the Protection of civilians in armed conflict.
I would like to thank the Briefers for their remarks.
This year, again, they alert us to appalling trends and figures.
More than 130 armed conflicts affect hundreds of millions of people.
These conflicts devastate civilian populations through mass displacement, death and injury, especially from the indiscriminate use of explosive weapons in urban areas.
They destroy critical infrastructure including hospitals and health systems.
They drive severe food insecurity and famine, and increase rates of sexual violence.
Women, children, persons with disabilities and displaced persons remain among the most vulnerable.
Journalists, medical personnel, as well as UN and humanitarian staff, including locally and nationally recruited personnel and other civilians, are also increasingly targeted and subject to dehumanising rhetoric.
As we commemorate the 10th anniversary of the adoption of resolution 2286, we are particularly alarmed by the growing attacks against medical personnel, healthcare workers and other personnel engaged in medical duties.
Our message is clear this must stop.
Civilians must be respected and protected at all times.
The group of friends would like to highlight three priorities.
First, international humanitarian law.
The legal basis of the protection of civilians must be respected by all parties to conflict at all times.
The large international legal framework that ensures the protection of civilians, which includes also international human rights and refugee law, must be upheld.
All relevant resolutions adopted by this council must be fully implemented.
We should call out violations.
Perpetrators of violations must be held to account.
The use of appropriate national and independent and impartial international accountability mechanisms, such as the ICC are essential.
Other tools also play a critical role such as the Declaration on Strengthening the Protection of Civilians from the humanitarian consequences arising from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas.
The Safe Schools Declaration and the declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel, as well as the Global Initiative to galvanise political commitment to I.
We encourage Member States to consider joining and engaging in these initiatives.
Second, the protection of civilians must guide our action across the multilateral system.
Conflict prevention, diplomacy, promotion of the respect for international law and the peaceful settlement of disputes remain the most effective means of protecting civilians.
In the context of institutional restructuring, mandate negotiations, contingency planning and resource allocation protection outcomes for civilians must be strengthened.
Strategic use of limited resources, as well as predictable and sustainable financing for protection efforts must be prioritized.
Thirdly, we must ensure protection of civilians in the face of emerging threats.
Battlefields are evolving and new technologies, including drones and AI systems, may amplify the harm caused to civilians.
In addition, the rise of misinformation and disinformation undermines trust in UN and other humanitarian actors.
Increased relativization of international humanitarian law and politicisation of aid further undermines principled humanitarian action.
These new challenges do not change our obligations.
All conflict parties must respect and protect civilians, and they must allow and facilitate rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access to all civilians in need The members of the group of friends will continue to work tirelessly to ensure the protection of civilians.
We call on the Security Council and all Member states to join us in these efforts.
Mr..
Mr.
president, I wish to take this opportunity to add a few remarks in my national capacity Switzerland reaffirms our steadfast commitment to the protection of civilians.
Two years ago, we brought before this Security Council Resolution 2730, which reaffirms the obligations to respect and protect humanitarian and United Nations personnel.
We must ensure its full implementation.
We emphasize in this context the importance of implementing international humanitarian law at the national level, with a view to identifying good practices in this regard.
Switzerland, jointly with the ICRC, organised last month.
Last month, the third meeting of government experts on IHL focusing on the implementation of the precautionary principle in armed conflicts.
This meeting brought together more than 130 states and over 400 participants from various government services.
A chair's summary containing the many good practices identified will be circulated shortly.
Switzerland also stresses the importance of combating impunity, which is a prerequisite to breaking cycles of violence.
We strongly support international justice mechanisms, in particular the International Criminal Court, as an independent and impartial institution.
The court plays a fundamental role in the promotion of justice, which is a prerequisite for lasting peace.
English Protection of Civilians Week, which Switzerland co-organises alongside Ocha, civic and IRC, is a key moment for reflection and action in this context.
We call on every member states to join by tomorrow morning the joint Commitments to uphold the protection of civilians amid reforms and constraints.
Thank you.
I thank the representative of Switzerland for the statement.
I now give the floor to Indonesia.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
Allow me to express our appreciation to you for convening this important meeting and also the Briefers for their valuable presentations.
Mr.
president, it is with a heavy heart that I must begin on a personal note.
On the 24th of April, after surviving for nearly a month against all odds, Corporal Rico Pramoedya, an Indonesian peacekeepers serving with Unifil, succumbed to injuries resulting from an attack by Israeli forces.
He was the fourth Indonesian peacekeeper killed in Lebanon while carrying out duties mandated by this very council.
His death is not only Indonesia's grief, it is yet another tragic reminder of the consequences when international humanitarian law is treated as optional.
This contempt did not stop here.
Just yesterday, the global Summit flotilla, peaceful civilian vessels carrying humanitarian aid was assaulted by Israeli forces detaining civilians on board, including nine Indonesian nationals.
Indonesia condemns in the strongest terms.
The continuation of this hostile acts and calls for the immediate release of all detainees.
Mr.
president, these are not isolated incidents.
They are part of a broader and graver crisis of impunity unfolding before us.
Ten years after the adoption of resolution 2286.
Attacks on health care continue to rise, and hospitals are still being turned into battlegrounds.
Such attacks on medical facilities, personnel and patients are grave breaches of international law.
Indonesia strongly condemns attacks against all health facilities, including the Indonesian hospital in Gaza Struck repeatedly despite its protected status.
The council must therefore speak with absolute clarity.
Hospitals are not military targets.
Medical personnel are not combatants.
Patients are not collateral damage.
This should not need to be stated in this chamber.
And yet, here we are.
Mr.
president international humanitarian law must never become an afterthought.
Indonesia lends itself with the statement delivered by Switzerland on behalf of the group of friends on the protection of civilians in armed conflicts, and later by Australia on behalf of the ministerial group for the declarations for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel and Hungary on behalf of the Global Alliance to spare Water from Armed conflicts.
We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to international humanitarian law and to strengthen cooperation in maintaining international peace and security.
Civilians, medical personnel and humanitarian workers must never be targeted.
Yet the deliberate attacks against them continue.
Indonesia calls for the full implementation of resolution 2730 and demand demand a thorough, independent and transparent investigation with concrete accountability for every attack against humanitarian personnel, medical workers, United Nations staff and peacekeepers.
Mr.
president the credibility of this council will not be measured by the strength of its words, but by the resolve of its actions.
Trust is this institution's greatest capital.
Indonesia stands with all countries committed to ending impunity and restoring the trust.
This institution, this institution, must earn.
Let us honor the fallen by protecting the living I thank you, Mr.
President.
I thank the representative of Indonesia for the statement.
I now give the floor to the representative of Austria.
Mr.
president, I congratulate China and yourself to your council presidency, and I warmly welcome today's open debate.
Austria aligns itself with the statements delivered by the European Union and the group of friends on POC.
Austria has made policy a longstanding priority and continues to lead by example.
On May 18th, we presented a new thematic report on protection of civilians together with Security Council report.
Allow me to highlight three priorities first, delivering on commitments in peace operations.
Whenever the UN is present in peace operations, it creates an expectation, an expectation for the protection of civilians.
Austria recalls its role in advancing resolution 1894, a landmark text tabled during our last council membership, which helped establish a stronger framework for the protection of civilians and humanitarian access in peacekeeping settings Since then, of course, peace operations, operational settings and the land the threat landscape have evolved dramatically.
We strongly hope that the upcoming review of peace operations will address how the UN's future peace operations can continue to integrate the protection of civilians into their mandates, despite increasing financial and strategic pressures.
Our Ministry of Defence is also doing its part by regularly hosting POC trainings for over a decade within.
With the next session just taking place this June in Vienna.
Second, the impact of new technologies, especially artificial intelligence and autonomous weapons systems.
They may be described as the Oppenheimer moment of our generation.
As militaries accelerate the integration of AI into the use of force, including AI supported targeting, this raises profound questions for the protection of civilians, including in relation to legal obligations, accountability, and, first and foremost, human control over the use of force and threats to human dignity.
Austria has been at the forefront, as you know, of international efforts, and we held a landmark conference in Vienna in 24 to progress towards the start of negotiation of their regulation We cannot prevent this development, but we need smart and implementable solutions fast.
Third and last, strengthening, strengthening protection of civilians in urban warfare, the use of explosive weapons in populated areas remains a major cause to harm civilians and civilian infrastructure, including healthcare systems.
As has been mentioned today, on average, 90% of victims are civilians, many of them children.
Austria is a forerunner of the EV political declaration that has great potential to assist states to curb the harm caused by explosive weapons.
In this context, it's now time to translate those commitments into practice through adapting military doctrines, planning and operation, enhancing the protection of civilian infrastructure, data collection and humanitarian access.
Austria has been actively advancing the universalisation and implementation of the declaration also this year by organising workshops in Accra and in Geneva.
We remain firmly committed to advancing the protection of civilians.
Again, thank you for the open debate and will treat it as a core priority during our Aspired Security Council term in 27 and 28, I thank you.
I thank the representative of Austria for the statement.
I now give the floor to Lebanon.
Mr.
president the very first lines of the Hague Convention observe that its provisions were, and I quote, inspired by the desire to diminish the evils of war.
Yet today, no region of the world seems spared from such evils.
For Lebanon they are a lived and painful reality that the Lebanese people have been enduring for far too long.
They are measured in death, trauma, shattered homes, grieving families, forced displacement, and lives permanently altered by violence.
The intensity and scale of the Israeli aggression has been marked by patterns of destruction and attacks that knows no moral, human or legal boundary, one that defies the very cornerstone of the UN charter.
The consequences of these grave violations are real and tangible.
At least 1.2 million people have been uprooted.
Entire residential areas have been systematically and deliberately destroyed.
Villages have been wiped out.
Many are occupied.
Mr.
president, how can it be to boast about issuing warnings before destroying a building or an entire village, when it has been documented that barely 150 warnings were reportedly issued out of more than 3600 strikes and counting? But even after warnings are issued, the obligations to respect the principles of distinction, precaution and proportionality remain fully binding.
And how moral can it be to loot homes, to desecrate places of worship and to profane, sacred religious objects? Mr.
president, it has become far too common to grow desensitised to the language of war.
We witness civilians, displaced humanitarian workers and paramedics attacked while carrying out life saving missions, journalists killed while reporting the truth.
Elders buried beneath rubble, children deprived of safety, dignity, education and hope, and hospitals, schools, roads and civilian infrastructure reduced to ruins.
But behind every headline, every image, every statistic, there is a person with a name, a family, a story, and a future that has been irreversibly changed.
Mr.
president, despite the gravity of the crisis, Lebanon refuses to surrender to the dangerous narrative that international law is irrelevant.
International law is not is not an ideology.
It remains the most concrete and adequate tool we possess for a peaceful and just order.
Lebanon's recent accession on May 1st to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention is a testament to Lebanon's commitment to the protection of civilians.
It is far more than a symbolic gesture.
It is a clear affirmation that Lebanon remains committed to a rules based international order, even while under fire, particularly while under fire.
Mr.
president to protect civilians effectively, this council must move beyond rhetoric and ensure accountability.
Accountability cannot remain selective, conditional or perpetually deferred.
This council has already adopted key resolutions reaffirming the obligations of parties to armed conflict, the protection of civilians and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.
We do not need new rules and principles.
We need to implement them.
A violation is a violation wherever it is committed and whomever commits it.
Selectivity weakens the law double standards weaken this council, and impunity weakens the protection owed to every civilian in every conflict, impunity emboldens further violations.
It creates a reality in which perpetrators believe they can continue without limits and without consequences.
This council must ensure that its resolutions are fully respected, implemented and enforced.
Mr.
president, the protection of civilians cannot begin after wars erupt.
We must invest more decisively in preventive diplomacy, mediation, de-escalation efforts and addressing the root causes of conflict before violence spirals beyond control One civilian life lost is one too many.
The evils of war cannot be accepted as inevitable.
We must be guided not merely by a desire to diminish the evils of war, but by a duty to eliminate them entirely.
I thank you.
I thank the representative of Lebanon for the statement.
I now give the floor to Brazil.
Mr.
president, colleagues, I thank China for convening this important debate and the Briefers for their valuable insights.
Brazil associates itself to the statements by Switzerland on behalf of the group of friends on the protection of civilians and by Australia on behalf of the ministerial group on the Protection of Humanitarian personnel.
Mr.
president, we are living through a critical moment with systemic tensions and instability.
Armed conflicts are multiplying, while respect for international law and international humanitarian law continues to erode.
The Security Council must discharge its responsibilities and reassure the international community its capacity to maintain peace and security year after year.
We have come before this council to express our profound concern over the grave and many times, deliberate violations of international humanitarian law worldwide.
We have repeatedly recalled the norms collectively established to prevent the very situations we are witnessing today.
Yet violations persist, and the gap between our commitments, our duties and the realities on the ground continues to widen.
Respect for international humanitarian law contributes to peace and stability, and to preserving human dignity in times of war.
It applies to all forms of warfare and to all kinds of weapons.
Those of the past, those of the present, and those of the future.
Brazil is appalled by violations of I in contemporary armed conflicts, including acts intended to spread terror among the civilian population, the use of starvation as a method of warfare, hostage taking, sexual violence, torture, forced displacement, and deliberate attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure.
Over the expansive interpretations of what international humanitarian law allows in combat cannot justify what are in fact breaches of the principles of precaution and proportionality.
Such violations undermine trust, political dialogue, conditions for peace settlements and sustained peace, not to mention the unbearable human suffering they entail.
And as we mark ten years since the adoption of Security Council 2286, we must also recognise with deep concern, that the protection of medical care in armed conflict remains far from guaranteed.
Mr.
chair, no military objective, political aim or historical grievance can ever justify the deliberate targeting of civilians or the widespread harm inflicted upon civilian populations, and the costly damage cast upon civil civilian infrastructures, as has been documented in the Gaza Strip in the West Bank, Lebanon Sudan, Iran, the Gulf countries and elsewhere.
Ultimately, our aspiration must always be the prevention of war itself.
Any disputes must be resolved peacefully through dialogue, diplomacy and the primacy of international law.
International humanitarian law is the last safeguard protecting civilians from the horrors of armed conflict, one that should not be breached.
Brazil has consistently sought to mobilise efforts in defence of international humanitarian law.
In 2024, together with China, France, Jordan, Kazakhstan, South Africa and the International Committee of the Red cross, we launched the Global Initiative on International Humanitarian Law.
We also joined Australia, Colombia, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, Sierra Leone, Switzerland and the United Kingdom in a ministerial group dedicated to championing IHL and the protection of humanitarian workers.
We encourage all Member States to join these efforts in defence of what constitutes our collective commitment under the charter of the United Nations.
Thank you.
I thank the representative of Brazil for the statement.
I now give the floor to Her Excellency Ambassador Sheikha Jawaher Ibrahim Al-Sabah, Assistant Foreign Minister for Human Rights Affairs of Kuwait.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
I would like to begin by thanking the presidency of the Council and the Swiss Confederation and its partners for their commendable efforts in organising the Protection of Civilians Week.
We also thank the Briefers for their valuable contributions, which highlighted the emerging, worsening and multifaceted challenges facing civilians in armed conflicts.
Mr.
president.
This year's Protection of Civilians Week comes amidst unprecedented and extremely dangerous circumstances, which should set off alarm bells today.
Armed conflicts have reached horrific levels of violence and destruction.
The targeting of civilians, women and children has expanded, and the suffering of millions of displaced, hungry and deprived people deprived of the most basic necessities for dignified life has intensified.
Wars today are no longer traditional in form.
They are coupled with additional challenges, namely the exploitation of modern technology, not to benefit humanity or spread knowledge or bridge gaps.
Modern technology is being used in a destructive manner that includes the development of more lethal means, more capable of taking lives and destroying civilian objects indiscriminately and without distinction that threatens the stability and security of nations.
Mr.
president, I would like to refer to the heinous Iranian attacks against my country that targeted critical civilian objects and facilities, government buildings and residential areas in line with Security Council Resolution 2817.
The State of Kuwait condemns in the strongest terms the attacks launched by Iran and its proxies against the territories of the Gulf Cooperation Council, states and Jordan.
We stress our full commitment to protecting our sovereignty and our legitimate right to take all necessary measures to protect our national security.
Mr.
president, the state of Kuwait attaches special importance to the issue of missing persons in armed conflicts.
As the issue of missing Kuwaitis persists.
Although three decades, more than three decades have already passed, entire Kuwaiti families have been suffering.
Generations of Kuwaitis have been enduring this pain.
Fathers who passed away and their hearts were still longing to know the fate of their children.
Mothers who carried the pain of absence.
For many years, children and grandchildren who grew up with the question still awaiting an answer.
Where are our loved ones? What happened to them? The state of Kuwait will continue its tireless efforts.
In accordance with Security Council Resolution 2474 and in cooperation with the United Nations.
The International Committee of the Red cross and other relevant parties to search for the missing and determine their fate, thereby upholding the rights of the affected families and the principles of justice and human dignity to which we all aspire.
Mr.
president, the State of Kuwait expresses its deep concern over the continued human suffering in various parts of the world, including the 15% increase in armed conflicts globally over the past five years.
The majority of these conflicts have affected the Arab region, where millions of civilians in Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Sudan and Somalia continue to face killing, displacement and the collapse of basic services.
In addition, starvation is being used as a method of warfare.
This is all transpiring, despite the fact that Security Council Resolution 24/17 confirmed the link between armed conflict and food insecurity.
This is transpiring as civilians and civilian objects continue to be targeted and human humanitarian access continues to be obstructed systematically.
We unequivocally reject these practices.
The continued silence of the international community, or its failure to hold perpetrators accountable, will only entrench impunity for violations committed against civilians.
This will send a dangerous message that human dignity can be violated, and that our shared principles can be eroded and undermined.
Mr.
president.
Eight decades have passed since the establishment of the modern framework of international humanitarian law.
However, the global will to enforce these principles and to protect civilians remains uneven today.
Your August Council is discussing this issue at a time when the majority of member states have acceded to the relevant conventions.
The list of speakers for today's debate has exceeded 100 states, which confirms that the challenge today does not lie in the absence of legal texts, but rather in the absence of genuine collective will to implement and enforce those texts without selectivity.
Your esteemed council has repeatedly affirmed in its resolutions and successive briefings that civilians are the ones who pay the highest cost of conflicts.
Our responsibility today requires that we stand united to confront the dangerous erosion of international humanitarian law.
We must strengthen accountability and reject double standards in the application of international humanitarian law.
In conclusion Mr.
President, we fully support the efforts of the ICRC as well as the global initiative to galvanise political commitment to international law.
We look forward to participating at the highest level in the high level international conference.
Which the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan will be graciously hosting later this year.
For it is through such collective initiatives that we can send a clear collective message that the protection of civilians is, and will continue to be, a shared responsibility from which there can be no retreat under any pretext or justification.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
I thank Your Excellency Ambassador Al-Sabah for the statement.
I now give the floor to the representative of Japan.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
As we mark the 10th anniversary of resolution 2286 and fifth anniversary of resolution 2573, it is deeply concerning.
The civilian harm remains at alarmingly high levels, as highlighted by the Briefers.
The latest Secretary General's report noted more than 37,000 civilian deaths in 2025, which is more than double the figure recorded in 2022.
This troubling trend highlights urgent need to reinforce respect for international law, including IHL, and to redouble our collective efforts to protect civilians.
Mr.
president, Japan is also deeply concerned by the report's findings of a record number of attacks on medical facilities in 2025, which resulted in 1980 deaths, marking a sharp increase from 2024.
As Kopen, holder of resolution 2286, Japan underscores the imperative to protect medical personnel and facilities.
The protection of humanitarian personnel is equally critical as we commend Australia's leadership in launching the declaration for Protection of Humanitarian personnel.
Stronger collective action is needed to prevent civilian harm Japan calls on all parties to comply with IO and urges international community to strengthen monitoring, reporting and data collection to ensure accountability.
Mr.
president, the rapid advancement of AI, drones and ICT expands the reach and speed of violence, while increasingly blurring the distinction between civilians and combatants.
Their use must remain firmly anchored in IHL, including the principles of precaution and proportionality.
As a strong proponent for human security, Japan remains committed to safeguarding civilian lives and dignity, including through sustained support for UN peacekeeping.
As the third largest financial contributor.
Furthermore, Japan has contributed more than 8 million USD towards mine action this year, supporting partners such as Amos in advancing demining efforts in Syria and Colombia.
Mr.
president, Japan stands ready to work closely with the United Nations and international partners to advance protection of civilians worldwide.
I thank you.
I thank the representative of Japan for the statement.
I now give the floor to the representative of Canada.
We thank China, Mr.
President, and we thank you, too for having convened this debate.
As the international community stands at a decisive juncture.
This is a moment which obliges us to choose between renewing our commitment to protecting civilians and standing idly by while suffering is ratcheted up before our very eyes in all conflict.
Civilians have been victims of indiscriminate attacks, mass killings, abuse and deliberate impediments to humanitarian aid.
Tactics used by parties to armed conflict have forced millions of people to flee their homes, and have plunged millions of others into acute food insecurity.
This with far reaching consequences.
Ordinary citizens are currently exposed to unconscionable violence.
The extent and frequency of which are unacceptable.
This year also marks the 10th anniversary of Security Council Resolution 2286.
This resolution was a solemn commitment to protecting humanitarian and medical personnel.
However, ten years later, we must face a terrible reality.
Attacks against hospitals, clinics, ambulances and humanitarian personnel have not decreased.
On the contrary, they have spiked.
Attacks against the very people who risk their own lives to save others.
Their lives are now being targeted at unprecedented levels.
President.
Parties to an armed conflict must, as a matter of absolute urgency, Uphold their commitments pursuant to international humanitarian law, namely by authorizing and facilitating rapid, unhindered humanitarian access that is non-negotiable.
Parties to an armed conflict must also ensure that those responsible for violations of international humanitarian law committed their ranks, including attacks against civilians and humanitarian personnel that are indiscriminate in nature, are held accountable for their actions.
We are currently witnessing the normalization of civilian suffering that should alarm all member states here present.
Our common value, that is, humanity is in danger.
To uphold and strengthen the protection of civilians and demonstrate that our commitment to I.
L is a core political priority and obligation and not a rhetorical aspiration.
Strengthen accountability mechanisms.
The Security Council has tools to strengthen accountability for IHL violations and should use them, including targeted sanctions.
Member states that support international legal accountability mechanisms such as the ICC maintain focus on protection of UN reforms and mandates as mandates are reprioritized, downsized or withdrawn.
Civilians risk being left exposed.
Canada calls on the Security Council and other UN bodies to ensure that transitions and reform efforts are carefully managed, grounded in context and anchored in the centrality of protection, ensuring that decisions on prioritisation, presence and delivery modalities do not leave the most vulnerable behind.
Member states, and this council in particular, must lead with conviction.
Canada has endorsed the declaration for Protection of Humanitarian Personnel, continues to support principled humanitarian partners who advance protection activities, and is committed to strengthening respect for IHL, including through our engagement with the Humanity in War initiative.
Canada is also supporting research to better understand how protection of civilians can remain a central component of all types of future UN peace operations, and is supporting efforts to ensure that UN peacekeepers are prepared to prevent the recruitment and use of children by armed groups and forces.
Canada's practical assistance includes mine action initiatives aimed at enhancing the safety of civilians and humanitarian personnel in places like Palestine, setting up early warning systems in Sudan to protect civilians from escalating violence, including conflict related sexual violence and high quality human rights monitoring, reporting and advocacy in Ukraine, with a particular focus on the human impacts of Russian attacks on critical infrastructure and forced displacement.
Mr.
president, as a global community, we must use this moment of profound systemic change to shift course and recommit to protecting civilians and reducing suffering.
Failure will be measured in human lives.
Humanitarian workers and organizations cannot and should not shoulder this responsibility alone.
Canada remains firmly committed to work with all partners to ensure that, amid reforms and constraints, we do not lose sight of the people at the heart of the protection of civilians agenda.
Ordinary people living through the brutality of conflict, remembering that makes indifference impossible.
We owe them nothing less.
Thank you.
I thank the representative of Canada for the statement.
I now give the floor to the representative of Australia.
Thank you, president, and I'm honoured to deliver this statement on behalf of the ministerial group for the declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel comprising Australia, Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, Sierra Leone, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
We meet today against a backdrop of tragedy.
In recent weeks, Ghanaian, Indonesian and French peacekeepers serving with Unifil have been killed and injured.
We honour their dedication and service and extend our deepest condolences to their families, their governments and their colleagues.
Their deaths are a stark reminder that those who commit to protect and assist civilians are facing grave risks.
Unfortunately, these tragedies are not isolated incidents.
Last year, more than 332 humanitarian personnel were killed globally.
This marks the third consecutive year of record fatalities.
Of these, the vast majority were national and locally recruited personnel serving their own communities.
And in a shocking statistic, United Nations personnel suffered the highest toll in the organisation's history.
Concerningly.
These attacks are growing while new challenges are emerging in humanitarian aid delivery, access restrictions, bureaucratic and administrative impediments, criminalisation of humanitarian aid and the politicisation of aid delivery are increasingly constraining humanitarian operations.
Simultaneously, emerging technologies are rapidly reshaping conflict itself and may pose new threats to humanitarian action.
Emerging technologies should be used in ways that strengthen, not undermine, the safety and security of humanitarian personnel and principled humanitarian action.
It is fundamental that international humanitarian law must be respected and upheld by all parties to armed conflict in all circumstances.
Security Council Resolution 2730 must be implemented.
This is precisely why the declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel matters.
It commits us all to practical action to ensure greater respect for and protection of humanitarian personnel.
112 countries have endorsed the declaration so far and we call on all member States who have not yet done so to join this declaration and demonstrate commitment to protecting those who risk their lives to assist others.
As a ministerial group, we strive to lead by example.
We condemn all attacks on humanitarians, including national and locally recruited personnel.
We are committed to pursuing greater accountability and justice in response to incidents.
This includes through full, prompt, impartial and transparent investigations, appropriate national and international legal mechanisms, and ensuring that attacks do not occur with impunity.
We are redoubling our efforts to uphold international humanitarian law, enhance humanitarian access, strengthen security risk management and share good practice to help protect those who risk their lives to save others.
This demands more than words.
It demands political will, collective action, and sustained leadership.
We in the ministerial group for the declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel, stand ready to work with all Member States to strengthen the protection and safety of humanitarian personnel, not just in principle, but in practice.
Thank you.
I thank the representative of Australia for the statement.
And now give the floor to His Excellency, Mr.
Udo Buslov, special envoy of the President of Kyrgyz Republic.
I would like to thank the Presidency of China for convening this important open debate.
We also thank the Briefers for their important contributions and for their tireless efforts to keep the protection of civilians at the centre of the Security Council's work today.
In far too many conflicts around the world, civilians are no longer merely caught in the crossfire.
They are becoming the principal victims of war itself.
Women and children bear the heaviest burden.
Families are displaced, schools and hospitals are destroyed.
Humanitarian workers and medical personnel are attacked while trying to save lives.
And increasingly, journalists, those whose duty is to bear witness and to tell the truth, are themselves being killed.
Nowhere in this is this tragedy more visible than in Gaza.
Our nation is in a state of shock and disbelief at the scale of human suffering we witness every day in Palestine.
According to United Nations figures, tens of thousands of civilians have been killed, including an unbearable number of children, well over 15,000 boys and girls whose lives were cut short by war.
Entire families have disappeared under rubble.
Hospitals, schools, shelters and places of worship have been damaged and destroyed We are also deeply alarmed by the unprecedented number of journalists killed in Gaza.
Never in history have so many media workers lost their lives in a single conflict in such a short period of time.
Journalists are civilians.
They are protected under international humanitarian law, targeting intimidating or killing them strikes at the very foundation of truth, accountability and humanity itself.
The situation in Lebanon also continues to raise serious concerns regarding the protection of civilians and respect for international humanitarian law.
We see similar suffering in many other regions of the world where conflict, hunger, displacement and insecurity continue to devastate entire communities.
Mr.
president, these realities remind us that the protection of civilians is not only a humanitarian concern, it is a legal obligation under international humanitarian law.
It is a moral responsibility of the international community.
Full implementation of Security Council resolutions two, two, eight, six and two, five, seven three remains essential for Kyrgyzstan.
The protection of civilians must also be closely linked to preventive diplomacy.
This means acting early before tensions turn into violence, before disputes become worse, before entire generations are traumatized by destruction and hatred.
We also believe that the Security Council should make greater use of the Peacebuilding Commission, particularly in situations at risk of relapse into conflict and during transitions from peacekeeping to peace building.
The Peacebuilding Commission can help address the root causes of conflict, exclusion, poverty, weak institutions, lack of trust, climate pressures, and growing inequalities.
Mr.
president, Kyrgyzstan believes that stronger national capacities are also essential for the protection of civilians.
Civilians states carry the primary responsibility to protect populations under the jurisdiction of the international community, must help countries strengthen their ability to prevent conflict, protect civilians and restore essential services and human dignity.
The Kyrgyz Republic reaffirms its strong commitment to international humanitarian law, the protection of civilians, preventive diplomacy and the peaceful settlement of disputes.
Kyrgyzstan stands ready to work with all member states to strengthen the protection of civilians and to contribute to a more peaceful, just and humane world.
Thank you.
Qatar.
I thank Mr.
Baisalov.
I thank Mr..
I give the floor to Qatar.
I thank you, Mr.
President, and I congratulate your friendly country on assuming the presidency of the Council.
We commend your wise leadership in managing its work and we thank you for convening this important debate.
We thank the Briefers and we welcome the Secretary General's report.
Mr.
president, this annual debate convenes once again to highlight the urgent humanitarian and legal duty of protecting civilians and to renew our steadfast commitment towards international humanitarian law.
However, the situation reflected in the Secretary General's report remains alarming.
The suffering of civilians, particularly women and children, continues in the context of armed conflicts throughout the world, including the escalation of attacks on medical personnel and healthcare facilities.
This is a clear violation of Security Council Resolution 2286 on the protection of health care in armed conflict.
And whose 10th anniversary coincides with the date of this debate today.
Mr.
president, the current period is witnessing blatant violations of international law and international humanitarian law.
Humanitarian and economic challenges are growing.
We note in particular the disruptions to maritime navigation through vital international waterways, especially the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz by the Islamic Republic of Iran This closure has negatively impacted the civilian supply chains and energy and food markets.
It has contributed to rising prices of essential goods, thereby worsening food insecurity and increasing the burdens on vulnerable, vulnerable countries and communities.
In this context, we reaffirm the state of Qatar's position that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz by the Islamic Republic of Iran constitutes a dangerous precedent and a clear violation of international law.
It is a direct threat to global security, supply chains, energy and food security.
Here, Qatar stresses the need to reopen the strait, to remove sea mines and to halt the imposition of illegal fees on commercial maritime vessels so as to ensure the freedom of navigation in accordance with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the law of the Sea and Security Council Resolution 5 to 2, as well as Security Council Resolution 2817.
We take this opportunity to renew the state of Qatar's appreciation and support for the efforts of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and all parties engaged in mediation and good offices, and we confirm the State of Qatar's full support to mediation efforts to end this crisis peacefully.
Mr.
president, the State of Qatar continues its intensive efforts at both regional and international levels in the fields of conflict prevention, conflict mitigation and addressing the root causes.
We continue to work in the fields of mediation peace building and humanitarian diplomacy aimed at enhancing efforts to maintain international peace and security.
These efforts emanate from Qatar's firm commitment to the purposes of the UN charter and to international humanitarian law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention and its additional protocols, which have become part of Qatar's national legislation and at the forefront of regional and international efforts to protect civilians and alleviate their suffering.
We note the fruit of the joint mediation efforts undertaken by the State of Qatar alongside the Arab Republic of Egypt, the United States of America and the Republic of Turkey to arrive at the cease fire agreement in the Gaza Strip of October last year The state of Qatar stresses the need for all parties to fulfil their commitments and implement the ceasefire agreement in full and open crossings to ensure the sustained and uninterrupted flow of humanitarian aid into the strip and the protection of civilians there.
At the same time, the state of Qatar continued its efforts in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo by supporting the Doha Framework for Comprehensive Peace.
We also continue to exert efforts in the Russian Ukrainian crisis through a humanitarian mediation that is aimed at uniting reuniting children with their families.
In closing, the state of Qatar emphasizes the need to tie the protection of civilians with conflict prevention and to address their root causes.
We stressed the necessity to comply fully with international law, I think.
I thank the representative of Qatar for the statement.
Colleagues, there are still a number of speakers remaining on my list for this meeting.
I intend, with the concurrence of members of the Council, to suspend the meeting until 3 p.m.
the meeting is suspended.