The event focused on consultations and preparations for the forthcoming European Humanitarian Forum in Brussels on 24–26 January 2022. Four panels took place, the aim of which was to strengthen the EU's internal coordination on IHL, improving the existing mechanisms for monitoring IHL violations, countering sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in armed conflict, safeguarding humanitarian personnel and improving humanitarian access in armed conflicts. Dr Marko Rakovec, Legal Adviser at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Chair of the EU Working Party on Public International Law (COJUR), participated in the first panel. 

Dr Rakovec presented the EU Guidelines on promoting compliance with IHL, which set down the main tools available to the EU to alert third countries to IHL violations (political dialogue, human rights dialogue, démarches, statements, sanctions, education).

Dr Rakovec underlined the importance of humanitarian diplomacy, the usefulness of consultations and exchange of information between the EU, the International Committee of the Red Cross and international organisations. He mentioned Ethiopia and the Sahel as examples of well-coordinated and harmonised action within the EU and also by like-minded countries and the United Nations. The panellists agreed that only internally and externally coordinated EU activities can strengthen the implementation of IHL on the ground and respond effectively to complex humanitarian crises.

In the second panel, the representative of the Geneva Academy of IHL and Human Rights stressed the need for a thorough, independent and expert analysis of the data collected to identify IHL violations and their incidence according to the type of armed conflict. As to a potential new mechanism for monitoring IHL violations, she recommended a sound and thoughtful approach.

With regard to sexual and gender-based violence as a violation of IHL, it was stressed that victims, most frequently women, need to be protected and offered the necessary support. It is essential that the existing legal framework is implemented in practice and that access to support is not interrupted by the pandemic. The same applies to ensuring the safety of humanitarian and medical personnel and improving access to humanitarian aid, as the personnel operating on the ground are too often the target of attacks.

The online event addressed the key elements of cooperation between the EU and the international humanitarian community, which will be the subject of an in-depth discussion at the European Humanitarian Forum in January next year.