President Spoljaric met with President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev about humanitarian needs stemming from armed conflicts globally. They also discussed the Global Initiative to galvanize political commitment to international humanitarian law (IHL) – an exceptional effort launched by Kazakhstan and five other states to revive respect for the rules of war.
While in Astana, President Spoljaric also met Minister of Defence Dauren Kosanov.
“International humanitarian law is only as strong as leaders’ will to uphold it,” said President Spoljaric. “As the number of armed conflicts multiply and intensify, we need states to stand behind the rules of war and make them a political priority. As one of the six founding states of the Global IHL Initiative, Kazakhstan is taking a leading role in global efforts to reinforce respect for these life-saving rules.”
Launched by Kazakhstan, Brazil, China, France, Jordan and South Africa in September 2024, the Global IHL Initiative now counts more than 100 states that have officially joined. For over a year, states have been working with ICRC legal experts to find practical recommendations to improve respect for the rules of war. This work will culminate in a high-level meeting in Jordan later this year in which Kazakhstan will take part.
The ICRC, which opened its office in Astana in 2019, engages with Kazakh authorities, civil society members, academics and arms carriers to promote the implementation of and respect for IHL. It also works closely with the Kazakhstan Red Crescent Society. Kazakhstan is among five countries in Central Asia where the ICRC has a full-time presence.
For more information, please contact:
Ermek Bailsalov, ICRC Bishkek, tel: +996 555 224 416, email: ebaisalov@icrc.org
