International Conference The 150th Anniversary of the St. Petersburg Declaration Renouncing the Use, in Time of War, of Explosive Projectiles: New Context, Undiminished Relevance will take place in the Tavricheskiy Palace

29 November 2018 marks the 150th anniversary of the St. Petersburg Declaration Renouncing the Use, in Time of War, of Explosive Projectiles. This document was the first official agreement that renounced the use of certain weapons in warfare, setting limits "at which the necessities of war ought to yield to the requirements of humanity". Some Governments, demonstrating goodwill and a common desire to achieve humane goals, were able to agree the most important international document signed on 29 November 1868 in St. Petersburg.

In this regard, the Interparliamentary Assembly of Member Nations of the Commonwealth of Independent States and the International Committee of the Red Cross decided to co-organize the International Conference The 150th Anniversary of the St. Petersburg Declaration Renouncing the Use, in Time of War, of Explosive Projectiles: New Context, Undiminished Relevance. The Conference will take place in the Tavricheskiy Palace, the IPA CIS HQ, St. Petersburg, on 29-30 November 2018. It will bring together MPs and heads of foreign, defense, and justice ministries of many countries, prominent scientists, politicians, representatives of international organizations, and experts in international humanitarian law.

Within the framework of the forthcoming Conference, the participants will discuss the following topics: contribution of the St. Petersburg Declaration of 1868 to the development of international humanitarian law; regulation of methods of warfare; current challenges in the field of humanitarian action. The program includes plenary sessions and thematic panels. The Outcome Resolution will be adopted at the end of the Conference.