Vienna, 8 October 2026 — The Delegation of the Republic of Kazakhstan, during a meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna, expressed its support for the activities of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and underscored the particular importance of upholding international humanitarian law amid the growing number of armed conflicts. The statement was delivered in response to the address by ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric.
In her remarks, Mirjana Spoljaric stressed that even war has limits and that the protection of civilians, medical personnel and humanitarian workers must remain an unconditional requirement.
Kazakhstan highly commended the ICRC’s role in protecting the lives and dignity of people affected by armed conflict, as well as in promoting respect for international humanitarian law. It was emphasized that, for Kazakhstan, peacebuilding, humanitarian action and respect for international humanitarian law are mutually reinforcing areas of engagement.
Particular attention was drawn to Kazakhstan’s participation as one of the initiators in promoting a Global Initiative to strengthen political Commitment to International Humanitarian Law, aimed at strengthening the political will of States to comply with existing IHL norms.
The Delegation of Kazakhstan reaffirmed its readiness to continue practical cooperation with the ICRC, including through the provision of humanitarian assistance to affected populations, participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations, and IHL training for Kazakh military personnel. The statement also highlighted the need to ensure strict compliance with IHL in the use of artificial intelligence, autonomous weapons systems and cyber technologies in the military sphere.
