Thailand: Asia-Pacific Symposium discusses IHL and new technologies of warfare – International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)

Symposium on Military Technology and International Humanitarian Law Advances Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

A regional symposium held in Bangkok, Thailand, from 24-26 June 2025, addressed the intersection of new military technologies and International Humanitarian Law (IHL). Co-hosted by the Judge Advocate General’s Department of Thailand and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the event directly supported the advancement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), primarily SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), by fostering regional dialogue on responsible military conduct and the protection of civilians.

Fostering Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions (SDG 16)

The symposium served as a critical platform for strengthening the application of IHL, a cornerstone of global peace and justice. Senior military officials and civilian experts from 18 Asia-Pacific nations engaged in discussions aimed at building robust legal and ethical frameworks for the use of emerging military technologies. This collaborative effort to uphold international law and ensure accountability in warfare is fundamental to achieving the targets of SDG 16.

Key areas of discussion included:

• Cyber operations
• Artificial intelligence (AI) in warfare
• Autonomous Weapon Systems (AWS)
• Military operations in outer space

General Pisit Nopamuang, Judge Advocate General of Thailand, highlighted the event’s role in building regional capacity, stating, “Let us leverage the opportunity to exchange ideas, build networks and collectively chart directions that will significantly benefit the region’s future.” This reinforces the commitment to building effective and accountable institutions at all levels.

Leveraging Partnerships and Innovation for Humanitarian Aims (SDG 17 & SDG 9)

The event exemplified SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), marking a significant partnership between the Thai government and the ICRC to convene regional powers. This initiative underscores the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration to address complex global challenges.

Furthermore, discussions moved beyond threats to explore how technology can be harnessed for humanitarian good, aligning with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure). Presentations on innovative concepts designed to enhance humanitarian protection included:

1. The development of a digital emblem to protect medical and humanitarian services online.
2. A Virtual Reality Tool (VRT) designed by the ICRC to train personnel on IHL principles in complex conflict environments.

These initiatives demonstrate a commitment to leveraging innovation not for strategic advantage, but for safeguarding human life and dignity.

Safeguarding Communities and Civilian Infrastructure (SDG 11)

A central theme of the symposium was the urgent need to mitigate the humanitarian consequences of modern warfare, directly supporting SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). Juan Pedro Schaerer, head of the ICRC’s regional delegation, emphasized that while new technologies offer strategic advantages, “they also raise complex legal and ethical questions under international humanitarian law.” The discussions focused on ensuring these technologies do not indiscriminately harm civilians or destroy essential infrastructure, which is vital for the resilience and sustainability of communities during and after conflict.

Key Outcomes and Regional Impact

The symposium successfully strengthened the regional commitment to IHL in the context of rapid technological evolution. By bringing together military, legal, and humanitarian experts, the event contributed significantly to regional stability and the broader SDG agenda.

• Strengthened Application of IHL: The event reinforced the importance of legal reviews and doctrinal development to ensure new weapons and tactics comply with international law.
• Enhanced Regional Dialogue: It established a foundation for continued collaboration among Asia-Pacific nations on the responsible development and use of military technology.
• Promotion of Collective Action: The symposium affirmed the necessity of collective regional responses to the challenges inherent in modern warfare, contributing to the goals of SDG 16 and SDG 17.
• Elevated Thailand’s Role: As the first regional IHL-focused event hosted in Thailand in recent years, it highlighted the nation’s growing role in facilitating crucial dialogues on peace and security.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• The article’s central theme is the strengthening of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) to manage the humanitarian consequences of new military technologies. This directly supports the goal of promoting peaceful societies and the rule of law. The symposium itself, by bringing together military officers and legal experts, contributes to building effective and accountable institutions that can navigate the complexities of modern warfare. The focus on “legal review and innovation” and “strengthening the application of IHL” are core components of SDG 16.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• The article explicitly highlights a multi-stakeholder partnership. It describes the event as being “jointly hosted by the Judge Advocate General’s Department, Office of the Permanent Secretary for Defence of Thailand and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).” Furthermore, it mentions the participation of “senior military officials and civilian experts from 18 countries across the Asia-Pacific region,” showcasing a regional partnership to achieve common goals related to peace and security.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

• The article discusses both the challenges and opportunities of technological innovation. It addresses the “rapid development of cyber capabilities, artificial intelligence and drone warfare” and the need for their responsible use. Crucially, it also points to how technology can be “harnessed for humanitarian purposes, particularly in safeguarding civilians and essential infrastructure,” which aligns with the goal of building resilient infrastructure and fostering beneficial innovation.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• While less direct, this goal is relevant through the article’s emphasis on “safeguarding civilians and essential infrastructure.” Protecting infrastructure from the effects of conflict is crucial for making human settlements, including cities, safe and resilient, especially in vulnerable situations like armed conflict.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

1. Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.

   The symposium’s entire purpose was to discuss the “legal, ethical and humanitarian implications of new military technologies” and contribute to “strengthening the application of IHL.” This is a direct effort to promote the rule of law at the international level in the context of armed conflict.

2. Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.

   The event aimed to build capacity among military and legal institutions in the Asia-Pacific region. By fostering dialogue on “doctrinal development, legal review and innovation,” the symposium helps these institutions become more effective and accountable in their conduct of hostilities using new technologies.

3. Target 16.8: Broaden and strengthen the participation of developing countries in the institutions of global governance.

   The article notes that the event was hosted in Thailand and involved 18 countries from the Asia-Pacific region, “underscoring the country’s growing role in facilitating crucial dialogue.” This demonstrates the active and strengthened participation of countries in the region in global governance discussions on international law and security.

4. Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources.

   The collaboration between the ICRC, the Thai government, and 18 regional nations to “exchange ideas, build networks and collectively chart directions” is a clear example of a multi-stakeholder partnership sharing knowledge and expertise to address a global challenge.

5. Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being.

   The discussion on harnessing technology for “safeguarding civilians and essential infrastructure” directly supports the goal of ensuring infrastructure is resilient, particularly in the face of man-made disasters like armed conflict.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

1. Existence of multi-stakeholder partnerships and regional dialogues.

   The article provides a clear indicator of progress through the event itself: a “regional initiative” and “significant partnership between the ICRC and the Judge Advocate General’s Department of Thailand” involving 18 countries. The frequency and scope of such symposiums can be used to measure progress.

2. Development and adoption of legal and doctrinal frameworks.

   The article implies that progress can be measured by institutional actions. The discussions focused on “doctrinal development, legal review and innovation,” suggesting that an indicator would be the number of participating nations that update their military doctrines or conduct legal reviews of new weapons systems based on these dialogues.

3. Development of innovative tools for humanitarian protection.

   The article explicitly mentions the presentation of “innovative concepts designed to enhance humanitarian protection,” such as the “digital emblem and a conflict environment Virtual Reality Tool (VRT).” The development, adoption, and deployment of such technologies serve as a concrete indicator of progress in harnessing technology for humanitarian good.

Summary Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: icrc.org