With global conflict escalating and civilian protections eroding, Australia has a strategic opportunity to assert leadership in upholding international humanitarian law. By leveraging diplomatic influence and building cross-regional alliances, Australia can strengthen global adherence to the rules-based order, protecting civilians, and advancing global stability.

With global conflict escalating—from Gaza to Ukraine, Sudan, and Myanmar—civilians are increasingly under threat. Over 120 conflicts last year affected one eighth of the world’s population, resulting in a sharp rise in civilian casualties alongside decreasing respect for international law. The UN Secretary-General has described the state of protection of civilians as “resoundingly grim.”  While these challenges may seem overwhelming, civilians in conflict need our optimism now more than ever. Amid rising threats, there is a need and opportunity to help rebuild trust in a rules-based order grounded in international law and universal values. Australia, as a constructive middle power, can take a leadership role, enhancing its moral power by becoming a vocal champion within the international community.

This is a key message from a recent Asia-Pacific Development, Diplomacy and Defence Dialogue (AP4D) report, based on consultations with over 70 experts in law, policy, and humanitarian work from Australia and across the region. For political leaders and policy makers, there is a need to understand this critical juncture and all the tools Australia has at its disposal to help protect civilians and promote respect for international humanitarian law in a shifting world order.

Australia and much of the world relies on a robust system of international law, rules, and norms that maintain stability and advance shared interests. Promoting respect for international humanitarian law enhances prospects for conflict resolution, reconciliation, and lasting peace. Where conflicts arise, it matters that states and combatants adhere to the letter and spirit of international humanitarian law. Decreasing respect for the rules of war has exposed civilians to higher levels of harm as a result of siege tactics, starvation, sexual violence, and the denial of humanitarian aid. Technological advances in modern forms of warfare such as drones, artificial intelligence, and cyber operations pose new legal and ethical challenges. Modern warfare, characterised by fragmentation and cross-border spillover, makes accountability and enforcement difficult, fostering impunity.

The United Nations Security Council often prevents consensus on important humanitarian issues, and consistent pressure to protect civilians at-risk is often missing, making it imperative for middle powers like Australia step up. By leveraging diplomatic influence to build cross-regional alliances across a range of forums, Australia can help reinforce that respect for international law and norms is grounded in universal values, including our shared humanity. Australia has an opportunity to take a bold leadership role on protecting civilians, enhancing its moral power by becoming a vocal champion within the international community. This requires a sophisticated use of statecraft beyond conventional power. There are many lessons to draw on from our region and beyond, across our diplomatic, military, and civil society engagement.

Australia, as an early signatory to the Geneva Conventions, has been an active and important contributor to international humanitarian law. As a constructive middle power, we are known for using our diplomatic tools intelligently to gain influence, having built a reputation as an effective multilateral negotiator, coalition builder, and trusted partner. While Australia has a relatively small diplomatic footprint, we are uniquely placed in terms of geography to build cross-regional alliances that help advance shared interests. One recent example is Foreign Minister Penny Wong’s initiative, the Declaration on the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel. This cross-regional effort responds to record-high aid worker deaths and aims to increase pressure on conflict parties to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law. This builds on former Foreign Minister Julie Bishop’s work during Australia’s 2013-14 term as a non-permanent UN Security Council member, where Australia advanced the protection of civilians. During crises such as the Syrian conflict, Russia’s annexation of Crimea, as well as wars in Mali and South Sudan, Australian diplomats exerted constructive influence over Security Council resolutions, including calls to respect international law.

Australia should be similarly ambitious during its current term on the UN Peacebuilding Commission, recognising that investment in peace is critical at a time of soaring global conflict. This can further help lay important groundwork for our 2029-30 bid for a UN Security Council seat. Australia must recognise its potential for influence, particularly as great power competition disrupts global rules and norms. In this shifting landscape, middle-powers and cross-regional coalitions will be more important for protecting civilians and upholding respect for international law. Maintaining consistent global attention and responses to the protection needs of all civilian populations—through the UN Security Council and other diplomatic platforms—is crucial. Australia’s voice, along with a diverse range of partners, will be important to maintain, regardless of what other political challenges arise.

Inconsistent responses to violations of international law undermines trust in a rules-based order and international peace and security more broadly. This can be seen in allegations of double standards and hypocrisy in how the West has responded to civilians in Gaza compared to Ukraine. This has bred cynicism and undermined the idea of mutually-beneficial laws, rules, and norms.

Conclusion

With the world and rules-based order at a critical juncture, Australia has an important role to play. By building cross-regional alliances and strengthening political will, Australia can help drive more consistent international pressure and responses to protect civilians. This isn’t just a moral and legal imperative—it is a strategic necessity.

This necessity becomes more pronounced as the United States has signalled dramatic shifts in its foreign policy, including its intent to move away from the post-war global order. The decision to transfer cluster munitions to Ukraine has weakened support for weapons conventions—recently, Finland withdrew from the Ottawa Convention on Anti-Personnel Mines, and other states such as Poland, Lithuania and Latvia have signalled their intent to do likewise. These are weapons that kill and maim indiscriminately, presenting immediate and long-term risks for civilian populations that extend well beyond war.

In a rapidly shifting world order marked by increased risks for civilians, upholding international law and norms that protect civilians will only become more important for humanity, global stability, and a safer, rules-based world.

Amra Lee is a Senior Practitioner and PhD candidate in protecting civilians at the Australian National University. Grant Wyeth is the editor at Asia-Pacific Development, Diplomacy and Defence Dialogue (AP4D).

This article is published under a Creative Commons License and may be republished with attribution.