IPA CIS Model Laws on International Humanitarian Law Used in CIS Member Nations’ Legislation

A meeting of the leaders of the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies of the CIS Member Nations has opened at the Tavricheskiy Palace, the IPA CIS headquarters. Over the course of three days, participants will discuss issues of institutional resilience, development and cooperation in the contemporary humanitarian context.

The meeting is organized by the Russian Red Cross.

Deputy Head of the IPA CIS Council Secretariat Alexey Dolzhikov addressed the participants. He noted that, together with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the Assembly had developed a number of model laws and recommendations aimed at facilitating the implementation of international humanitarian law in the national legislation of the CIS countries.

He also announced that in October, the IPA CIS Permanent Commission on Social Policy and Human Rights will consider the Recommendations on the ICRC Travel Document. This is an important piece of work, the outcome of which will enable people in emergency situations to return home.

Work is also continuing on the IPA CIS Model Law on National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The document is intended to establish the legal framework for the activities of these organizations and strengthen their institutional capacity.

President of the Russian Red Cross Pavel Savchuk spoke about the extensive programme of the leaders' meeting. Participants will discuss issues shaping the future development of the organizations, including the legal framework governing the activities of National Societies, financial sustainability, resource mobilization, preparedness for emergency response, and the use of digital technologies.

Deputy Foreign Minister Affairs of the Russian Federation Alexander Alimov sent a video address to the participants.

Secretary of the IPA CIS Permanent Commission on Social Policy and Human Rights and Executive Secretary of the IPA CIS Expert Advisory Board on Public Health Evgenia Vladimirova took part in one of the sessions. She spoke about model legal instruments developed by the Assembly in close cooperation with international humanitarian organizations.

One of these is the Model Law on the Use and Protection of the Red Cross, Red Crescent and Red Crystal Emblems, the Designations "Red Cross", "Red Crescent" and "Red Crystal", Distinctive Signals to Identify Medical Units and Transports.

Evgenia Vladimirova emphasized that IPA CIS documents are currently in demand both in the Commonwealth countries and beyond.

Among other important instruments, she highlighted the model law on facilitating international assistance in emergency situations and the document on equal access to HIV prevention and treatment.

The meeting will take place from 22 to 24 September 2026. The three-day meeting will conclude with the adoption of a Resolution on mutual understanding and cooperation between the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies of the CIS Member Nations. The document will reaffirm their shared commitment to further strengthening cooperation, supporting one another and jointly addressing humanitarian challenges.