The Diplomatic Conference Convened by the Swiss Government on the reaffirmation and development of International Humanitarian Law applicable in armed conflicts opened in Geneva on 20 February 1974. Plenipotentiary representatives of 118 States including 29 African States, parties to the: Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 and Members of the United Nations, as well as many observers from inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations attended.