NATO hosts International Contact Group on Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response

On 10-11 September, representatives from the IMS joined the meeting of the International Contact Group on Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response (ICG-CHMR), hosted at NATO HQ in collaboration with the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. The meeting brought together Allies, partners, military practitioners, international organizations, NGOs, and academics to exchange experience and strengthen cooperation on mitigating and responding to civilian harm.

Angus Lapsley, Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to NATO, speaking at the 2026 International Contact Group on Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response

The meeting was organized under the leadership of the NATO Secretary General's Special Representative for Women, Peace and Security and for Human Security, Ms Irene Fellin, who opened the meeting alongside Ambassador Angus Lapsley, Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to NATO, and Ambassador Marcel de Vink, Permanent Representative of the Netherlands to NATO. In her opening remarks, Ms Fellin highlighted the growing complexity of today's security environment and the importance of integrating civilian harm mitigation into how forces plan, train, and operate:

"Civilian harm mitigation is not simply an ethical aspiration or a legal obligation. It is also an operational necessity," she said. "Reducing civilian harm contributes directly to mission success. It helps preserve legitimacy, strengthens operational effectiveness, reinforces public trust, and supports the long-term objectives of military operations."

Marcel de Vink, Permament Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to NATO, speaking at the 2026 International Contact Group on Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response.

The first day focused on four key areas: civilian harm mitigation in a coalition context; the protection of critical infrastructure and essential services; the integration of civilian harm considerations into training and exercises; and challenges in the maritime domain.

Contributions from the IMS and Bi-Strategic Commands, national authorities, as well as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC), PAX and independent experts, provided a range of operational and policy perspectives. Discussions highlighted the importance of developing common approaches, sharing information and incorporating civilian harm scenarios into training and exercises, to strengthen decision-making and interoperability before forces deploy.

Participants also examined the wider effects of harm to critical infrastructure and essential services, including energy, transportation, communications, and healthcare. Particular focus was placed on the experience of Ukraine in sustaining critical civilian infrastructures during wartime. In the maritime domain, discussions considered the potential impact of military activity on commercial shipping, fishing communities, offshore energy infrastructure, undersea cables, and coastal populations.

The second day, held in closed-doors session, provided an opportunity for countries and institutions to exchange updates and lessons learned, including on Ukraine, scenario-based exercises, and joint reporting mechanisms and investigations.

The ICG-CHMR is an informal multinational working group established in 2022 to advance efforts to mitigate civilian harm caused by military operations. It brings together military practitioners, policy experts, civil society, academics and international partners to exchange good practices and lessons learned, develop shared standards, strengthen national policies and institutional frameworks, and promote greater transparency and accountability. NATO has participated in the ICG-CHMR as an observer since its creation, contributing its expertise and supporting ICG's efforts to strengthen cooperation on civilian harm mitigation.