Date/Time
Date(s) - 02/02/2026
14:45 - 17:00
Location
Press Club Brussels Europe
Categories
High-Level Discussion on Priorities for EU Humanitarian Diplomacy
Upholding Protection of Civilians and International Humanitarian Law in Today’s Conflicts.
On this occasion, the Geneva Academy will launch its second annual report, “War Watch. IHL in Focus Report”, which offers a global overview of the most pressing protection challenges faced by civilians caught up in today’s armed conflicts worldwide.
This launch comes at a key moment, ahead of the European Commission preparing a new Communication on Humanitarian Aid in which IHL and humanitarian diplomacy – at the initiative of Commissioner Lahbib – are core pillars.
The discussion will explore the role of the EU and its Member States in promoting IHL compliance, protecting civilians, and ensuring humanitarian access while highlighting how expert perspectives from conflict-affected contexts can strengthen humanitarian diplomacy.
Program
14h45 Registration and welcome coffee
15h00
- Opening remarks – EU Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, Ms. Hadja Lahbib
- Presentation of the Geneva Academy’s Global Report, “War Watch. IHL in Focus Report” – Dr. Stuart Casey-Maslen
- Panel discussion on Priorities for EU Humanitarian Diplomacy: Upholding Protection of Civilians and International Humanitarian Law in Today’s Conflicts.
-
- Mr. Amitabh Behar, Executive Director of Oxfam International
- Ms. Mona Rishmawi, Independent international fact-finding mission on Sudan
- Ms. Jennifer Dabis, Juzoor for Health and Development, Palestine
- Ministerial Representation of Ireland (TBC)
- Q&A and interventions from the floor
17h00 Close
Press materials and the full report will be available to journalists on the day of the event, following the lifting of the embargo at 00:01 on 2 February.
Please RSVP by Wednesday 28 January 2026 (COB) to catherine.debock@oxfam.org.