The IHL Centre launches its Strategy for 2026–2030  

The IHL Centre is pleased to launch its new Strategy 2026–2030, setting out the Centre's vision, priorities, and ambitions for the next five years. 

The strategy comes at a time when civilians continue to bear the brunt of armed conflict in multiple contexts around the world. Attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, restrictions on humanitarian access, displacement, detention, and other protection concerns continue to demonstrate the devastating human cost of violations of international humanitarian law (IHL).

At the same time, humanitarian actors are operating in increasingly complex and constrained environments, while respect for IHL faces growing pressure globally. This is not a moment to retreat from the protections provided by international humanitarian law. Rather, it is a moment to strengthen efforts to promote, uphold, and defend them.  

Building on more than a decade of experience supporting humanitarian organisations, civil society actors, diplomats, journalists, policymakers, and other stakeholders, the Strategy 2026–2030 outlines how the Centre will continue to strengthen understanding, application, and respect for IHL through legal analysis, advisory services, training, publications, and humanitarian diplomacy. 

The strategy reaffirms the Centre's commitment to supporting those who are positioned to influence armed actors, decision-makers, and public discourse. By providing independent legal expertise, practical tools, and evidence-based analysis, the Centre seeks to strengthen civilian protection, promote accountability, advance inclusive approaches to IHL, and help bridge the gap between legal norms and operational realities. 

As the humanitarian sector continues to evolve and adapt to unprecedented challenges, the Centre will continue to provide practical, accessible, and independent legal and technical expertise that helps humanitarian, diplomatic, and media actors navigate increasingly complex conflict environments while safeguarding essential protections under international humanitarian law. 

The 2026–2030 Strategy sets out how the Centre will contribute to these efforts in the years ahead, working with partners across the humanitarian ecosystem to strengthen respect for IHL and improve protection for civilians affected by armed conflict. 

Download the 2026–2030 Strategy below: