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Over 80% of all major armed conflicts between 1950 and 2000 took place in biodiversity hotspots that sustain around half the world’s plants and many rare species of animals (Conversation Biology 23 (3), 2009, pp. 578–587). The environmental consequences of armed conflicts, and the impacts of these on conflict-affected populations, have been – and continue to be – a source of concern for the international community. Today, the hardship of people is exacerbated by the rapidly intensifying climate crisis. This webinar will provide a platform to discuss challenges as well as measures to strengthen the protection of the environment before, during and after armed conflict.
It will feature two complementary initiatives by the International Law Commission (ILC), namely its adoption on first reading of 28 draft principles, with their commentaries, on the protection of the environment in relation to armed conflicts as well as the International Committee of the Red Cross’ (ICRC) recently released updated Guidelines on the Protection of the Natural Environment in Armed Conflict that set out rules and recommendations on the protection of the natural environment under international humanitarian law. The webinar will also feature national perspectives on the impacts of war on the environment and the rich experiences and practices of States to enhance the protection of the environment in armed conflicts.
Click on the names for the profiles.
Opening Remarks
Ambassador Fabrice Filliez, Ambassador, Embassy of Switzerland in Singapore
Biljana Milosevic, Head of Regional Delegation, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
Dr Nilufer Oral, Director, Centre for International Law
Moderator + Closing Remarks
Professor Tommy Koh, Ambassador-at-Large, Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs | Chairman, Governing Board, Centre for International Law
Panellists
Marja Lehto, UN International Law Commission, Special Rapporteur on the Protection of the Environment in Relation to Armed Conflicts
Major General TNI Victor H. Simatupang, M.Bus., Commandant, Indonesian Armed Forces Peacekeeping Centre
Professor Nguyễn Hồng Thao, Member of the UN International Law Commission | Professor Associate in Law, Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam and National University of Hanoi, Vietnam
Helen Obregón Gieseken, Legal Adviser, Legal Division, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
