What do the laws of war or the laws of armed conflict mean? How and when are these applicable?

In collaboration with the Government of Nepal, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Mission in Kathmandu is hosting the 11th South Asia Regional Conference on International Humanitarian Law (IHL) from 31 October to 2 November 2022 in Kathmandu, Nepal. The theme of the Conference is ‘Bringing IHL home – a focus on weapons, means and methods of warfare.’

The official inauguration ceremony will be conducted in the presence of Mr Udaya Raj Sapkota, Secretary, Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Nepal. Kedir Awol Omar, Head of the Regional Delegation for India, Nepal, Bhutan and the Maldives, will deliver the opening remarks. Around 30 high-level government officials representing key ministries, such as law, defence, foreign affairs, from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Iran, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, as well as experts from the ICRC and other organizations, will attend the Conference.

The South Asian Conference on IHL aims to create a forum for sharing practical experiences in the different countries in the region about observing and implementing IHL, particularly its rules about weapons, means, and methods of warfare. In addition, it is expected to strengthen dialogue and collaboration between states on IHL-related matters by sharing best practices and showcasing achievements in domestic IHL implementation.

Having hosted the inaugural edition of the Conference in 2009, 2014, and again in 2017, Nepal is hosting this regional Conference for the fourth time.