The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the College of Europe are pleased to invite you to the 26th Bruges Colloquium on International Humanitarian Law (IHL). This year’s edition will focus on the human consequences of armed conflict and the role of IHL in mitigating these impacts. The Colloquium will take place in person (only) in Bruges on Thursday 19 and Friday 20 November 2026.

While preventing loss of life and injury must always remain a priority, the reality of contemporary and potentially large-scale armed conflicts also requires to be prepared to address these consequences once they arise. This year’s Colloquium will focus on “Addressing the Human Cost of War: Upholding IHL to Protect the Wounded, Sick and Dead.” Across five panels, discussions will follow a chronological continuum, from facing battlefield realities to the return of loved ones to their families. The Colloquium will bring together legal experts, military practitioners, medical and forensic specialists, humanitarian actors, and State representatives to explore how compliance with IHL can be translated into practice. Particular attention will be given to the challenges of searching for and evacuating the wounded, sick and deceased, providing impartial medical care, ensuring proper accounting and identification of the dead, and the enduring impact of certain types of weapons. The Colloquium will ultimately emphasize that, by addressing these issues effectively and in compliance with IHL, individuals and their loved ones can find hope even in the darkest of times.

More information is coming soon. Stay tuned!