According to an official statement, the meeting is motivated by the increasingly volatile environments in which contemporary UN peacekeeping missions are deployed, characterized by asymmetric warfare.
For the experts, the application of IHL norms currently presents challenges derived from the complexity of modern conflicts, the actions of non-state actors and the blurred lines between combatants and civilians in urban battle spaces. The forum therefore aims to discuss the applicability and limitations of the implementation of International Humanitarian Law frameworks in United Nations peace operations through an interactive multi-stakeholder approach.
The sessions will allow for a deeper examination of some of the contemporary issues such as the protection of civilians, accountability for crimes against peacekeepers, the role of women in peacekeeping operations and the harnessing of technology for more effective operations.
The event will conclude with a plenary session aimed mainly at providing recommendations on deepening the discourse on IHL and its integration into UN peace operations.
The talks will be directed at contributing to the development of more effective training modules and policy frameworks, while ensuring the rights and security of peacekeepers and civilians.
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