For more than thirty years now, the Institute has acted as a forum favouring reflection, discussion, exchanges of views and experiences as well as research into new approaches in the field of Humanitarian Law, Human Rights and Refugee Law.
As an independent organisation, the Institute especially encourages dialogue among governments, organisations and institutions concerned with humanitarian issues, together with individual experts. Since its creation, the Institute has dealt with a broad range of subjects regarding humanitarian law and action. It has also shown how the law of human rights, humanitarian law and refugee law are all inter-related and inter-dependent.

The main activities of the Institute stretch across the following sectors: 

Training of civil and military personnel
Every year, the Institute organises basic courses, training courses, and advanced courses in the field of international humanitarian law, human rights, refugee law and migration law for military personnel, government officials, diplomats, experts, representatives of non governmental organisations, and students from all over the world. These courses, which are organised in collaboration with international institutions and countries interested, are taught in various languages (French, English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese and Russian) by qualified teachers of different nationalities, who use a multidisciplinary and practical approach.

Organisation of conferences, congresses and round tables
These events are much appreciated by the international community as they offer a periodical opportunity for dialogue and debate on topics of international humanitarian law. They encourage members of scientific, diplomatic, institutional and military circles from all over the world to examine the more burning issues concerning the promoting of  respect for and development of international humanitarian law in an informal and prospective manner. Almost forty years of meetings and intense academic activity, under the emblem of the Institute, addressing the main topics of humanitarian law, have contributed to the humanitarian dialogue conducted in what has become known in the world as “the spirit of Sanremo”. 

Research and publications
For some time now the Institute has become increasingly involved in research activities, study and analysis. It fosters the publication of texts, essays and monographs which the aim of contributing to the awareness of issues relevant to international humanitarian law and its different aspects.
“The Sanremo Manual on International Law applicable to Armed Conflict at Sea”, which was compiled between 1988 and 1994, still remains the most consulted manual at Naval  Military Academies all over the world, and an essential work of reference on a global scale.
“The Manual on the Law of Non-International Armed Conflict”, which was published in March 2006, is the Institute’s latest Manual: it reflects the developments registered by humanitarian rules at a time where conflicts all too often differ from classical warfare between States bound by the Hague Conventions and the Geneva Protocols.
Over the past ten years the Institute has also launched a series of publications concerning the proceedings of its main Round Tables. In addition, it distributes a “newsletter”, and periodic informative bulletins concerning its activities.