Geneva (ICRC) - The president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Mirjana Spoljaric, concluded a one-day visit to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on Tuesday in which she met with His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan, and other officials on the humanitarian situation in the Middle East, the continued plight of civilians suffering from the ongoing escalation and joint efforts to mobilize state leaders to reaffirm their support for the rules of war.
His Majesty King Abdullah II and President Spoljaric discussed planning for the High-Level Conference on Humanity in War that will take place in Jordan later this year. The event, which will be co-hosted by Brazil, China, France, Kazakhstan and South Africa, is part of the Global Initiative to galvanize political commitment to international humanitarian law (IHL).
“In an age of rising armed conflict and diminishing restraint, Jordan is playing a critical and indispensable role in defending international humanitarian law,” said President Spoljaric. “I hope that world leaders will respond to His Majesty’s invitation and stand united behind the fundamental rules that preserve humanity in war.”
Launched in September 2024, the Global IHL Initiative is an exceptional effort driven by states to restore respect for the rules of war. To date, over 100 states have formally joined the Global IHL Initiative with 27 states co-leading seven thematic workstreams to develop practical recommendations to address challenges posed by contemporary warfare.
While in Amman, President Spoljaric also met with Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates H.E. Ayman Safadi; Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Maj. Gen. Yousef Huneiti and the President of the Jordan National Red Crescent Society, H.E. Dr. Mohammad Al-Hadid.
“The world cannot absorb limitless war – not in number and not in conduct,” said President Spoljaric. “Millions of lives today and tomorrow depend on world leaders uniting around their shared responsibility to prevent atrocities and protect humanity in times of war.”