The year 2025 was marked by the consequences of more than 130 armed conflicts on the lives of people around the world. Protracted conflicts and fresh emergencies led to injuries, death and displacement, often on a large scale. Families were separated, and loved ones went missing. Communities had little to no access to food, water, health care and other basic necessities.

The erosion of respect for international humanitarian law (IHL) – with selective interpretations of, or even outright disregard for, these rules – exacted a devastating human toll. Furthermore, the use of new technologies in warfare, including artificial intelligence, posed growing risks. At the same time, the entire humanitarian sector faced a sharp and sustained decline in funding.

In this challenging environment, we remained steadfast in delivering on our mandate.  Protecting people affected by conflict and other violence remained central to our work, as we responded to emergencies of growing scale and complexity. We advanced the promotion of IHL, working to restore respect for the law and ensure that the Geneva Conventions remain a lifeline for those most acutely affected by conflict.