Call for Abstracts: Yerevan International Conference on International Humanitarian Law 2026 (27-28 November, Yerevan, Armenia)

The Armenian International Law Association (AILA), with the support of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Delegation in Armenia, invites abstracts for the Yerevan International Conference on International Humanitarian Law, held on the theme Protecting Humanity in Armed Conflict: Contemporary Challenges for International Humanitarian Law. The conference takes place on 27 and 28 November 2026 in Yerevan, Armenia, onsite.

Contemporary armed conflicts continue to test the effectiveness of international humanitarian law (IHL) in protecting individuals, communities and societies affected by war. Humanitarian actors increasingly encounter obstacles to reaching affected populations; starvation and the deprivation of objects indispensable to civilian survival have re-emerged as central concerns; and cultural heritage remains threatened by destruction, looting, neglect and deliberate attack. The conference brings together academic and operational perspectives to examine these challenges and to contribute to strengthening respect for IHL worldwide.

• Examine the legal framework governing humanitarian access under IHL.
• Discuss the adaptation of IHL rules in the face of technological change and emerging domains of warfare.
• Explore contemporary operational challenges faced by humanitarian organisations in obtaining and maintaining access to affected populations.
• Analyse developments in the repression of serious violations of IHL, such as starvation of civilians and the denial of humanitarian assistance.
• Facilitate dialogue between academics, practitioners, humanitarian actors and policy-makers to promote greater awareness and understanding of IHL.

Building the domestic, diplomatic and operational tools needed to stop violations before they occur.

• Domestic implementation: national frameworks, military training and accountability systems.
• Influencing armed groups: diplomatic, economic and political tools to encourage compliance among State and non-State actors.
• Early warning systems: monitoring and rapid-response mechanisms to detect and prevent violations before escalation.

Safeguarding the people, infrastructure and heritage on which civilian survival and identity depend.

• Safeguarding hospitals: medical neutrality and the protection of healthcare workers in conflict zones.
• Defending schools: preventing attacks on learning spaces and ensuring continuity of education.
• Securing essential services: protecting water, electricity, housing and other infrastructure indispensable to civilian survival.
• Protecting cultural heritage during and after armed conflict.

Testing and adapting the rules of IHL against technological change and new theatres of conflict.

• Cyber operations: digital warfare, civilian data protection and attacks on critical infrastructure.
• Autonomous weapons: legal and ethical challenges posed by AI-driven military technologies.
• New and re-emerging domains of warfare: applying IHL to maritime conflicts and outer space activities.
• IHL and personal data protection: application of humanitarian law in the social media space.

Using respect for humanitarian norms as a foundation for de-escalation, dialogue and lasting peace.

• Mediation and dialogue: using humanitarian norms as a foundation for negotiation and trust-building.
• Reconciliation processes: how adherence to IHL supports transitional justice and post-conflict healing.
• Conflict de-escalation: leveraging compliance with IHL to reduce violence and foster sustainable peace.

The call is open to scholars, practitioners, humanitarian actors, diplomats, military experts and students. The four thematic panels have been developed in line with the priorities of the Global Initiative to Galvanize Political Commitment to IHL, and every abstract must clearly indicate the panel it relates to.

• Abstract: 350 to 500 words, clearly indicating the thematic panel to which the submission relates.
• Bio note: a CV of up to 2 pages, or a short biographical note of not more than 250 words, including institutional affiliation.
• Language: the official language of the conference is English; abstracts are accepted in English, French, Russian and Armenian.
• How to submit: abstracts and accompanying documents must be emailed to conference@aila.am.
• Full papers: submission of a full paper before the conference is not expected. Some selected papers may be considered for publication in a Conference Articles Collection in 2027.

There is no participation fee. Participants are responsible for covering their own expenses, including travel, accommodation and other logistical costs. Lunches and coffee breaks on the conference days are covered by the organisers.

The organisers do not provide visa support; participants who need a visa to enter Armenia must arrange it themselves. Accepted participants may be provided with invitation letters on request. For questions or more information, write to conference@aila.am.