The process toward a legally binding instrument on the protection of persons in the event of disasters has entered a decisive phase, with the United Nations General Assembly adopting resolution 80/169 of 15 December 2025 that lays out the roadmap for negotiations through 2027. The resolution builds on resolution 79/128 of 4 December 2024 in terms of which States agreed to elaborate and conclude a legally binding instrument on the protection of persons in the event of disasters (PPED) based on the International Law Commission’s (ILC) Draft Articles on the protection of persons in the event of disasters, by the end of 2027, and invited States to submit proposals for amendments to the draft articles by 31 December 2025, with a view to preparing the consolidated text that will serve as the basis for the negotiations of the legally binding instrument.
Resolution A/C.6/80/L.14 sets out a series of critical dates that will shape the path to a new international treaty on the protection of persons in disasters.
Resumed Session of the Sixth Committee of the United Nations General Assembly: 6–10 April 2026
In accordance with resolution 79/128, the Sixth Committee will resume its session from 6 to 10 April 2026. During this meeting, Member States will continue technical discussions on the consolidated text, taking into account the proposals submitted by the end of 2025. This session is a key opportunity to further refine the draft articles before they are transmitted to the Preparatory Committee.
Preparatory Committee Meeting: 31 August – 4 September 2026
To finalize arrangements for the Conference of Plenipotentiaries on the PPED, the resolution decides to convene a preparatory committee from 31 August to 4 September 2026. Its mandate will include:
- Referring the consolidated text and proposals submitted by governments to the Conference of Plenipotentiaries;
- Deciding on participation modalities for relevant stakeholders beyond Member States and standing observers; and
- Preparing recommendations on the rules of procedure and methods of work for the Conference.
United Nations Conference of Plenipotentiaries: 25 January – 12 February 2027
The centrepiece of the timeline laid out in the resolution is the decision to convene a United Nations Conference of Plenipotentiaries on the PPED. The conference will meet in Manila for three weeks from 25 January to 12 February 2027, hosted by the Government of the Philippines, which has expressed its interest in accommodating the process.
If negotiations require additional time, the Conference may reconvene for a further two weeks in August 2027. The Conference is tasked with elaborating and concluding the treaty by the General Assembly’s target deadline of no later than the end of 2027.
Looking Ahead
With these milestones in place, the international community is now poised to negotiate a binding legal framework dedicated to the protection of persons in the event of disasters. The deadline of 31 December 2025 for States to submit proposals aimed at strengthening the Draft Articles marks the start of an intensive process that will culminate in Manila in early 2027. The coming two years will therefore be pivotal in shaping a treaty that responds to the growing frequency, intensity and impact of disasters worldwide.