Check against delivery

Mr. President,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States. 

The Candidate Countries North Macedonia*, Montenegro^*, Serbia^*, Albania^*, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina^* and Georgia, as well as Armenia, Monaco and San Marino align themselves with this statement.

Excellencies, Colleagues, here we are, once again: We have discussed each year the need to prevent suffering, protect civilians, and respect our international humanitarian law obligations. And yet, the experience of civilians, especially women and children in armed conflicts globally, continues to reflect a catastrophically different reality. 

Indiscriminate, disproportionate, and often deliberate attacks on civilians and civilian objects are occurring with greater frequency. Overly permissive and self-serving interpretations of international humanitarian law have led to increased suffering, starvation, displacement, civilian casualties, and protection crises. Women, older people, persons with disabilities, and children, face increased risk of harm during armed conflicts, including from explosive remnants of war. Attacks on humanitarian personnel have alarmingly increased: 2024 was the deadliest year on record with more than 360 humanitarian workers killed in 20 countries, while denial of access for both humanitarian personnel and supplies have amplified these challenges. 

The European Union also notes with deep concern that funding for protection does not match the protection needs of populations affected by humanitarian crises, and that overlapping vulnerabilities including climate risks and food insecurity have amplified these challenges.

In this dramatic context, the European Union works tirelessly with international and local partners to provide needs-based humanitarian responses aimed at saving lives, preventing and alleviating human suffering, and maintaining human dignity, with an initial allocation of €1.9 billion for 2025, consistent with last year’s funding. Yet it remains clear that humanitarian action alone cannot address all of the complex challenges faced by civilians in conflict zones. 

Three additional points that are essential for ensuring that civilians are protected, and that the basic principle of humanity is respected: 

First, compliance with international humanitarian law is both indispensable and non-negotiable. There can be no exceptions to the applicability of the law in armed conflict, no matter how complex the situation. The European Union re-emphasizes that states hold the primary role and responsibility to protect and ensure the safety and security of civilians, including humanitarian personnel and first responders, as well as journalists and other media workers. In armed conflicts the responsibility to protect civilians is extended to all parties to the conflict. All States have an obligation to respect and ensure respect for IHL in all circumstances. This includes compliance with the IHL principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution, as well as non-reciprocity. The European Union remains deeply concerned by the indiscriminate use of explosive weapons in populated areas and welcomes the continued work in this respect to universalize and operationalize the Political Declaration. We also welcome the Global Initiative to galvanise political commitment to IHL, which represents a much-needed effort to reverse the current trends. The degradation of international law must end.

Second, the European Union recognizes the role that states, regional organizations, and other actors can also play in advocacy and humanitarian diplomacy towards protection outcomes. We call on all those with influence over parties to conflicts to recall the obligation to facilitate rapid and unimpeded humanitarian assistance, to raise awareness about the needs of affected populations, and to champion better protection outcomes. We must also ensure that all actions and interventions support humanitarian principles and the ‘do no harm’ approach. The European Union reiterates the need to expand and reinforce responsive actions aimed at reducing threats to protection. Indeed, reducing these risks is not only imperative for preventing human suffering, but also to limit the scope of needs and making already overstretched humanitarian responses more manageable and effective. 

Finally, to maintain dignity, and put people at the centre of our protection efforts, we must both work to prevent humanitarian catastrophes from breaking out, and put an end to impunity for violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law. Better respect of IHL and IHRL requires accountability. And accountability helps to prevent violations. The EU will continue to support efforts towards independent investigations into violations of IHL and IHRL, including those that may amount to international crimes. The decisions of international courts and tribunals must be respected and implemented, with a particular emphasis on placing victims and survivors at the centre of judicial action. The EU also recognizes that conflicts affect people unequally, placing them in different situations of vulnerability, with women and girls disproportionately impacted by persistent gender inequalities, including sexual and gender-based violence.

Excellencies, Colleagues, we have the tools, the knowledge and the frameworks to ensure that civilians are protected in all circumstances. Let us match our words today with the necessary political commitment at national and global levels to prevent yet another deadly year for the most vulnerable. Thank you. 

* North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.