With the aim to advance international efforts, including those of the UN, to protect health care in conflict areas in follow-up to UNSC Resolution 2286, the Permanent Missions of Canada, the Netherlands, Spain, and the United Kingdom, in collaboration with the Lancet-American University of Beirut Commission on Syria and Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition, organized a High-Level Side Event during the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
The 2-hour event, “Protecting Health Care in Armed Conflict,” was held on Friday 22 September 2017 from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm, in the ECOSOC Chamber at the U.N. Headquarters, bringing together U.N. Member States, International NGOs, academics, and experts to review:
- The global scale of attacks on health care and other health-related violations under international law in armed conflict;
- The progress since UNSC Resolution 2286 including efforts of UN Member States, the UN and civil society internationally, to document, investigate, and respond to such violations; and
- Policy and practice options and next steps to be taken by UN Member States and the international community to advance protection of health workers in armed conflict.
Video of the event is available here [link] and below (Flash Player required):