Accountability, transparency, and engagement are critical elements of
any principles based system. Those overarching principles are no
longer easily applied through one-size-fits-all measures. Those concerns
are nicely encapsulated in the April-June 2026 Newsletter of The International Code of Conduct Association – ICoCA--"Accountable Security in Transition." The theme is framed in this way for the Newsletter:
As global value chains and security environments evolve, expectations on private security providers are increasingly shaped by the need for responsible practice in complex settings. From critical minerals supply chains to post-conflict and transitioning contexts such as Ukraine, this includes strengthening how security is delivered and governed in practice. This edition of ICoCA’s newsletter explores how security practices are evolving in response to the just transition and growing expectations around accountability across diverse operational contexts.
ICoCA "is a multi-stakeholder
initiative formed in 2013 to ensure that providers of private security
services respect human rights and humanitarian law. It serves as the
governance and oversight mechanism of the International Code of Conduct
for Private Security Service Providers." (ICoCA--About).
The ICoCa summarizes its mission this way: "Our mission is to raise
private security industry standards and practices that respect human
rights and international humanitarian law and to engage with key
stakeholders to achieve widespread adherence to the International Code
of Conduct globally. Discover the benefits for each stakeholder group
below."
Featured interventions include: (1) Securing critical minerals supply chains starts with securing communities; (2) Beyond corporate damage control: reclaiming non-state governance mechanisms as pathways for true remedy; (3) From wartime necessity to post-war opportunity in Ukraine; (4) ICoCA's growing footprint in Nigeria; (5) Carbon accountability in private security; and (6) Community-based security and local trust.
A French version of this newsletter is available here.
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Accountable security in transition |
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As global value chains and security environments evolve, expectations on private security providers are increasingly shaped by the need for responsible practice in complex settings. From critical minerals supply chains to post-conflict and transitioning contexts such as Ukraine, this includes strengthening how security is delivered and governed in practice. This edition of ICoCA’s newsletter explores how security practices are evolving in response to the just transition and growing expectations around accountability across diverse operational contexts. |
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A French version of this newsletter is available here. |
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| Securing critical minerals supply chains starts with securing communities |
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Securing critical minerals supply chains increasingly depends on the quality of relationships between operators and the communities where extraction takes place. In high-risk mining environments, these relationships are central to operational continuity, shaping trust, risk awareness and the ability to prevent and manage tensions before they escalate. This places responsible security practices at the centre of how companies manage operational risks and build trust in complex environments. |
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These dynamics highlight the relevance of ICoCA’s Strategic Goal 3, contributing to a just transition through responsible security practices, and Strategic Goal 5 on accountability, strengthening the implementation of standards and responsible practices on the ground. In this context, security plays an enabling role in responsible resource governance rather than operating as a standalone function. |
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| Beyond corporate damage control: reclaiming non-state governance mechanisms as pathways for true remedy |
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Grievance mechanisms are a key component of accountability in private security, yet they are often underutilised or reduced to procedural compliance. In this piece, Jose Fernando Gonzalez explores how non-state grievance mechanisms can move beyond corporate damage control to provide meaningful pathways to remedy, strengthen trust and ensure access to redress in line with international standards. |
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| From wartime necessity to post-war opportunity in Ukraine |
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Ukraine’s private security sector continues to operate in a context shaped by ongoing conflict, where immediate operational pressures coexist with early discussions on future recovery and reconstruction. These dynamics are already prompting reflection on how the sector can evolve in line with international standards, including stronger governance, oversight and responsible practice. |
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Within this broader transition, particular attention is being given to the role of veterans in the private security sector. ICoCA and UNDP recently launched a guidanceproviding a framework to support their reintegration, focusing on recruitment, training and workplace support. It aims to ensure that their skills are effectively integrated into safe and responsible security operations. |
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| ICoCA's growing footprint in Nigeria |
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Nigeria is one of Africa's largest private security markets, where growing investment and complex security challenges are increasing expectations for responsible security practices and stronger governance. ICoCA is expanding its engagement through national partnerships, the Nigeria Chapter and initiatives that support the implementation of international standards. |
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| ICoCA Responsible Security Awards 2025: Case studies highlights |
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The ICoCA Responsible Security Awards 2025 and related submissions highlighted how private security companies and civil society partners advance responsible practices in complex and high-risk environments. The documented case studies demonstrate innovative approaches to human rights, community engagement, accountability and sustainable operations. The following two examples showcase different ways these principles are put into practice in the context of the just transition. |
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| Carbon accountability in private security |
| Community-based security and local trust |
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 | | IDG Security piloted the E-Ledgers carbon accounting framework in Afghanistan, demonstrating that emissions tracking is feasible even in highly complex and unstable environments. The initiative reflects a shift towards treating environmental responsibility as an operational requirement, using structured bottom-up accounting to improve emissions accuracy and strengthen environmental accountability in line with just transition objectives. |
 | | ARB Security has integrated a community-based security model in Albania, showing how local recruitment and community engagement can strengthen trust, reduce tensions and improve operational effectiveness in infrastructure projects supporting the just transition. The approach demonstrates how closer engagement with communities can improve risk awareness, enable earlier identification of tensions and support more stable and efficient operations. |
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| Participate in ICoCA's Responsible Security Awards 2026 |
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ICoCA is delighted to launch the second edition of the ICoCA Responsible Security Awards, recognising innovative approaches that strengthen security while upholding human rights, accountability and ethical practice. |
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This year’s edition focuses on ICoCA's Strategic Goal 4 on the responsible use of new technologies in private security. ICoCA's members, affiliates and observers are invited to submit initiatives demonstrating the responsible use of digital tools and emerging technologies in line with the International Code of Conduct. Submissions are open until 31 August 2026. |
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| Membership and certification |
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Member monitoring
ICoCA handles complaints and monitors its Members and Affiliates regarding their compliance with the Code through remote tracking, mandatory reporting, in person site visits and through its civil society network. ICoCA is regularly publishing data on its monitoring and complaints functions, including allegations received.
To read the 2026 summary monitoring update, click here. |
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ICoCA was pleased to welcome 5 new certified members and 2 affiliates from April to June 2026:- AL SHAHER GROUP Co., Iraq (certified member)
- Brit Alliance Ltd, United Kingdom (certified member)
- Falcon For Security & Guarding Services Limited, Iraq (certified member)
- G4S DRC, Democratic Republic of the Congo (affiliate)
- Securex, Kenya (certified member)
- Ultimate Security (U) Ltd, Uganda (affiliate)
- Wells Fargo Limited, Kenya (certified member)
You can find the full membership update for Q2 2026 here. |
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The minutes of the Q1 2026 Board of Directors meeting, which took place on 20/04/2026, are available here.
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