The IFRC, in collaboration with a network of academic experts, hosted a series of high-level webinars on the 12th and 18th of November to raise awareness of the Draft Articles and the future PPED treaty.
Pursuant to United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 79/128, the United Nations General Assembly agreed to elaborate and conclude a legally binding instrument on the protection of persons in the event of disasters by the end of 2027’ (the PPED treaty). The resolution invites governments to submit, no later than 31 December 2025, proposals for amendments to the Draft Articles, in view of the preparation of a consolidated text at the resumed session of the Sixth Committee in early 2026. In mid-2025, the IFRC developed detailed proposals for the consideration of States aimed at strengthening the Draft Articles ahead of the PPED treaty negotiations.
The Draft Articles address issues such as human rights and the protection of people in disasters, humanitarian principles, international cooperation, disaster risk reduction, and the responsibilities of States in external disaster assistance.
Experts from academia provided their analysis and perspective on the content of the Draft Articles, and their recommendations on the future PPED treaty.
The webinars were moderated by Giulio Bartolini, Full Professor of International Law, Roma Tre University (Italy).
The panel on 12 November included:
- Emanuele Sommario, Professor of International Law, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna (Italy);
- Dug Cubie, University College Cork Lecturer in Law, University College Cork (Ireland);
- Jane McAdam, Scientia Professor of Law, UNSW (Australia);
- Marie Aronsson-Storrier, Lecturer in Law, University College Cork (Ireland);
- Thérèse O’Donnell, Professor of Law, University of Strathclyde (Scotland); and
- Jeanique Serradinho, IFRC.
The panel on 18 November included:
- John Hopkins, Professor of Comparative Public Law and International Law, Canterbury University (New Zealand);
- Hugo Cahueñas, Professor of Law and Deputy Director of the International Protection Law Centre, Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) (Ecuador);
- Kirsten Nakjavani Bookmiller, Professor of Government, Law, and International Relations, Millersville University (USA);
- Giulio Bartolini, Full Professor of International Law, Roma Tre University (Italy); and
- Jeanique Serradinho, IFRC.
Please find the agenda and speaker bios at the top right of the page.
The webinar from 12 November can be viewed here and above.
The webinar from 18 November can be viewed here.