Qatar Takes Part in Cairo Workshop on National-Level IHL Implementation

Cairo, October 04, 2026 : The State of Qatar is participating in a workshop on implementing international humanitarian law (IHL) at the national level, held in Cairo and set to conclude Sunday.

Workshop Brings Together Arab IHL Committees

The event brings together heads and members of national committees on international humanitarian law from Arab countries, along with representatives from Egypt's Ministry of Justice and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

Qatar's Delegation Led by NCIHL Chairman

HE Saeed bin Abdullah Al Suwaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Justice and Chairman of the National Committee for International Humanitarian Law, chairs Qatar's delegation.

Al Suwaidi Stresses Moral, Legal Obligation of IHL

In his opening remarks, Al Suwaidi stressed that respect for international humanitarian law is not merely a legal obligation but a humanitarian and moral responsibility, requiring coordinated national systems capable of translating international obligations into effective policies and legislation.

Emerging Technologies Pose New Challenges

He noted that the rapid evolution of warfare methods, coupled with emerging challenges linked to artificial intelligence and the need to protect cultural property and medical services, underscores the need to continuously strengthen national tools for IHL compliance and implementation.

Call to Transform National Committees into Expertise Centers

Al Suwaidi stressed the importance of transforming national committees from bodies that merely follow up on treaties into centers of expertise and platforms for coordination among government, military, medical, and academic institutions. He added that the Arab permanent committee will work to deepen bilateral Arab cooperation and foster a unified vision for emerging challenges.

Two-Day Sessions Examine Current Challenges

The two-day sessions examined current challenges facing IHL and ways to strengthen political commitment, while reviewing national committees' efforts in 2025 and 2026 and exploring mechanisms for moving from theoretical frameworks to practical application. Participants also discussed legislative measures to protect the ICRC's emblems and cultural property during armed conflicts, along with ways to strengthen academic partnerships and develop national-level implementation tools.

Source: QNA