Confused by all the talk at last month’s UN General Assembly on UN Resolution 2730 on the protection of aid workers? Here’s what you need to know about UN Resolution 2730 – and why it matters for security.
In short:
- Last month, the UN General Assembly discussed several critical issues. At the forefront was the protection of aid workers, a topic that has garnered wide attention from Member States.
- UN Resolution 2730 reinforces existing legal obligations under International Humanitarian Law and the Geneva Conventions. The UN Secretary-General will develop new recommendations as part of the resolution. Strengthening security for humanitarian personnel will be central to these recommendations.
- Security professionals can leverage this momentum to advocate for improved security risk management (SRM) practices and support for aid workers.
The context and background to UN Resolution 2730
In September 2024, the UN General Assembly High-level Week brought global leaders together to discuss international issues. The protection of aid workers was high on the agenda.
The urgency is evident – 2023 marked a devastating record with 280 aid workers killed. And 2024 is set to be just as deadly. Recent attacks on aid workers in Gaza and Ukraine have intensified the global concerns about the growing risks humanitarian workers face.
During the High-level Week, Australia announced the formation of a Ministerial Group for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel, consisting of nine member countries. The group will develop a new declaration to demonstrate commitments of the international community to protecting aid workers.
UN Resolution 2730: An urgent call to protect aid workers
This all builds on the momentum generated by the adoption of UN Resolution 2730. Led by Switzerland and co-sponsored by over 90 Member States, the resolution on the protection of humanitarian personnel and assets was adopted in May 2024.
The resolution itself is not revolutionary. It largely reaffirms the legal duties of states to protect humanitarian workers under International Humanitarian Law and the Geneva Conventions. It does, however, place renewed focus on the disproportionate risks faced by local and national aid workers, who often bear the brunt of security incidents.
Security within the Secretary-General’s Recommendations
A key component of Resolution 2730 is the mandate for the UN Secretary-General to develop recommendations for Member States on preventing and responding to incidents involving humanitarian workers. These recommendations, informed by consultations with humanitarian organisations, will play a crucial role in prioritisation, funding, and cooperation for security.
GISF contributed key insights during these consultations to help shape security recommendations. We emphasised points around the importance of adequate, flexible funding mechanisms that enable organisations to respond to shifting security dynamics and adapt SRM strategies as needed, especially in high-risk environments. GISF called for equitable risk sharing mechanisms that address the disproportionate burden placed on local and national staff. Importantly, GISF highlighted the need for enhanced multi-stakeholder collaboration, encouraging stronger cooperation between donors, international organisations, NGOs, and local actors to create a more unified approach to SRM.
The Secretary-General’s recommendations for security are still undergoing further consultation. The Secretary-General will send the recommendations to the Security Council President in November, with the Secretary-General’s briefing to the Security Council expected no later than May 2025.
How security professionals can leverage the momentum
For security professionals working at NGOs, the global attention on aid worker protection presents an opportunity to advocate for better SRM practices and greater support for humanitarian security from donors, decision-makers, and stakeholders. Work with your humanitarian policy teams, and with GISF, to ensure security is included in broader messaging on the protection of aid workers.
Here are a few starting points that make the case for SRM:
- SRM is the foundation of safe and effective humanitarian action. Without it, NGOs face disruptions that limit access to people in need, halting life-saving services. Effective SRM protects both staff and programmes in volatile environments.
- Collaboration and coordination strengthen SRM effectiveness. Sharing knowledge, resources, and strategies across NGOs, the UN, and donors boosts resilience and improves security sector-wide.
- SRM must be backed with adequate funding. Quality, flexible funding is vital for SRM, especially for local and national NGOs. Donors must prioritise SRM funding as a core component of humanitarian budgets and support innovative initiatives like Protect Aid Workers, which provides immediate security grants and legal aid.
- Address local staff risks. Localisation shifts more risks onto local and national staff operating in the most dangerous environments. Equitable risk-sharing ensures they get the same security support, training, and funding as international staff.
- SRM requires true partnership. Security isn’t just technical – it’s about trust, collaboration, and a shared commitment. Local partners need long-term, trust-based support to design relevant SRM strategies.
Conclusion: The way forward
UN Resolution 2730 offers NGOs and security professionals a powerful opportunity to advocate for stronger SRM practices and more robust protection for aid workers worldwide. This advocacy can take place within your own organisation, with donors, partners, and with the broader humanitarian community. By ensuring the recommendations of the resolution are implemented, security professionals can create safer operational environments and ensure continued access to communities in crisis.
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About the author
Alyssa Thurston is GISF’s Policy and Advocacy Adviser. In her role, she leads on building an enabling and well-informed policy environment for NGO security risk management.
Banner image: United Nations 2024
Featured image: Xabi Oregi (Pexels)
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