The ICT resolution of the 34th International Conference: A first step towards protecting civilians in digitalizing armed conflicts

Tilman Rodenhauser, Legal Adviser, ICRC

The adoption of the resolution, “Protecting civilians and other protected persons and objects against the potential human cost of ICT activities during armed conflict” at the 34th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent was a landmark achievement. Yet it is only the first step in efforts by the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement,  to protect civilians against digital threats and create shared understandings among States on how international humanitarian law (IHL) imposes limits on the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) during armed conflict, including in the Global IHL Initiative.

At the 34thInternational Conference, the Movement and States adopted the the first humanitarian ICT resolution. This was a landmark achievement, given the importance of ICTs for civilians, including in times of armed conflict, and the growing threat of cyber operations disrupting essential services for people in need. For the first time in multilateral processes, States, together with the Movement, committed to “protect the civilian population and other protected persons and objects in situations of armed conflict, including against the risks arising from malicious ICT activities” (operative paragraph 1) and in particular reiterated “that, in situations of armed conflict, IHL rules and principles […] serve to protect civilian populations and other protected persons and objects, including against the risks arising from ICT activities” (operative paragraph 4), and that medical facilities and humanitarian activities must be respected and protected, “including with regard to ICT activities”. (operative paragraphs 6 and 7).

While this was only a first step, it is critical to upholding IHL and the protection of civilians as armed conflicts become more digitalized. Over the past 12 months, the resolution has served as a basis, helping shape multilateral processes and the work of the Movement.

In these multilateral processes, two developments stand out:

1. Many States from all continents have emphasized in the UN Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) on ICTs what an achievement it was to adopt this resolution and have proposed including language from it in the OEWG’s final report.
2. The resolution has paved the way for an ICT workstream under the Global IHL Initiative launched in September 2024 by Brazil, China, France, Jordan, Kazakhstan and South Africa, together with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The ICT workstream runs from 2025 to 2026, is co-chaired by Ghana, Luxembourg, Mexico and Switzerland, and is open to all interested States and other relevant stakeholders. Much like the resolution itself, the workstream focuses on the most pressing humanitarian concerns arising from the use of ICTs during armed conflict. It also aims to foster shared understandings among States on how IHL imposes limits on ICT activities during armed conflict to safeguard civilian populations from harm.

The resolution has also encouraged components of the Movement to pursue dialogue with States, civilians that conduct ICT activities, and private technology companies on international humanitarian law and its application in the ICT environment (operative paragraphs 9 and 11). The ICRC, for its part, has continued to integrate key messages on humanitarian and legal limits on ICT operations into its work.

Finally, significant work has been done on a future digital emblem. The resolution encourages the ICRC to continue consulting and actively engaging with States and Movement components “to further assess and clarify the specific purpose and technical feasibility of a digital emblem” (operative paragraph 12). Shortly after the conference, the nearly 160 tech companies of the Cybersecurity Tech Accord pledged to “champion the digital emblem”, and to collaborate to advance it. A few months later the International Committee of Military Medicine also expressed its support for the development of a digital emblem.

In sum, the adoption of this resolution has demonstrated the Movement’s unique ability to contribute “to the respect for and development of international humanitarian law” in light of new technologies of warfare, and provided the impetus and support for further work in this area.

Read more about this topic

• Gisel, L., and Rodenhäuser, T., “A steppingstone for more? Progress on the protection of civilian populations from ICT activities during armed conflict,” Humanitarian Law & Policy blog, 2025.

• Global Initiative to Galvanize Political Commitment to International Humanitarian Law: Progress report, ICRC, 2025.

• International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights, International Humanitarian Law and the Growing Involvement of Civilians in Cyber Operations and Other Digital Activities During Armed Conflict: Report of a Research and Expert Consultation Project of the Joint Initiative on the Digitalization of Armed Conflict, ICRC, 2025.

The International Committee of the Red Cross, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and the Standing Commission of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, in its function as Trustee of the International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (the Conference), cannot be held responsible or liable in any manner for any user-generated content or posts on this Database. In the event that the Website team considers any post or content to be incompatible with the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and/or with the objectives of the Conference, it reserves the right to remove such content.