Pete Evans joined the ICRC in 2009 and became the Head of Unit for Relations with Arms Carriers in 2022. This role expanded to include prevention approaches in 2024. He now oversees ICRC approaches to arms carriers and other actors who can positively affect the protection of those who are, or may be, affected by armed conflict or other situations of violence.

Prior to his current role, Mr Evans was the Regional Coordinator for Armed and Security Forces Programmes in Asia where he oversaw the technical aspects of the ICRC’s engagement with armed and security forces, including analysis of the humanitarian implications of the developing security situation in the region. He previously served in the ICRC Regional Delegation in the US and Canada, where he worked with North American and Caribbean Armed Forces to explain the role and work of the ICRC in conflict situations and the importance of applying International Humanitarian Law in military operations and planning. Mr Evans has also worked for the ICRC in South Asia, Europe, and prior to moving to the US he was based in Beijing, from where he worked not only in China, but also Mongolia, Myanmar and the Korean Peninsula.

Before joining the ICRC, Mr Evans served for 18 years as a UK Royal Marines officer, both at sea and on land. His operational deployments included peace-keeping operations in Bosnia as a UN Military Observer, peace-enforcement operations in Kosovo and conventional operations in Afghanistan following the September 11th attacks. In addition to his field service he served in the UK Ministry of Defence in both procurement and operations divisions, and in the British Embassy in Washington DC.

Pete is a graduate of the UK Advanced Command and Staff Course, holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Physics and Master’s Degrees in Defence Studies and a Masters of Advanced Studies in Humanitarian Leadership, with a focus on decision-making strategies. He led the development of ICRC guidelines for the integration of IHL and other applicable norms into the military decision-making process for both combat and security operations.