The Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, opened the event “The protection of medical missions on the 10th anniversary of resolution 2286”, during which he reaffirmed Spain’s commitment to upholding international humanitarian law and protecting healthcare workers in armed conflicts.
During his speech, the Minister emphasised that the protection of healthcare personnel and facilities is a priority for Spanish humanitarian diplomacy and foreign policy, and warned of the deteriorating situation on the ground. In this context, he stressed that “the protection of medical missions is, above all, a matter of humanity. In times of war, few rules are as essential as those that ensure that those who heal, those who save lives, can carry out their work without becoming targets. Every hospital destroyed, every ambulance attacked, every doctor or healthcare professional killed is a collective defeat”.
A growing challenge for the international community
The Minister pointed out that, ten years after the Security Council’s unanimous adoption of resolution 2286, the commitment to protect medical missions remains unfulfilled, and he warned of the gravity of attacks against healthcare personnel and infrastructure in various conflict zones. In this regard, he emphasised the need to analyse the consequences of these attacks, strengthen best practices to prevent them, improve mechanisms for protecting medical personnel, and ensure the effective use of international accountability mechanisms.
Albares insisted that “without accountability, there will be no real protection for medical missions”, and stressed the importance of promoting swift, independent and transparent investigations, as well as strengthening international mechanisms when States are unable or unwilling to act.
Spain’s ongoing commitment
The Minister explained that Spain played a decisive role in the adoption of resolution 2286 and has since maintained a firm commitment to protecting medical missions. He noted that this priority is set out in the Spanish Strategy for Humanitarian Diplomacy 2023-2026 and in the first Voluntary National Report on the implementation of international humanitarian law, published in March 2026, and that it will remain a central focus of future policies.
Spain firmly condemns attacks against healthcare personnel and medical facilities in any context and promotes compliance with international humanitarian law, as well as the fight against impunity, including support for independent investigations and the International Criminal Court.
It also participates in the International Committee of the Red Cross’s global initiative to advance international humanitarian law and co-chairs the working group on the protection of hospitals alongside Uruguay, Pakistan and Nigeria, with the aim of promoting best practice in this field. The initiative will culminate in a high-level international conference in December this year in Amman.
Recognition of the humanitarian community
The Minister expressed his appreciation for the work of humanitarian organisations, research centres and experts who contribute to the protection of medical personnel in conflict situations, concluding with a call on the international community to act with determination and consistency. He also emphasised that the protection of medical personnel is essential to preserving human dignity.
The event was attended by members of the diplomatic service, institutional representatives, non-governmental organisations, experts in international humanitarian law and academics. Following the minister’s address, a round-table discussion was held, moderated by the Director-General for the United Nations, International Organisations and Human Rights, Lucía García Rico, alongside representatives from Médecins Sans Frontières, the Spanish Red Cross, the Ministry of Defence and the AECID.
International context
Resolution 2286 was adopted on 3 May 2016 by the United Nations Security Council, under the leadership of Spain alongside New Zealand, Japan, Uruguay and Egypt. It is the first Security Council resolution to condemn attacks, acts of violence and threats against medical personnel and medical facilities in armed conflicts, and to demand compliance with international humanitarian law.
Ten years after its adoption, attacks on medical missions not only persist but continue to increase. In 2025, the Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition recorded a 15% increase compared to the previous year, whilst the World Health Organisation documented 1,348 attacks on healthcare facilities, resulting in the deaths of 1,981 people – more than double the figure for 2024.
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