State representatives, international and civil society organisations met in Geneva from 6-8 April 2022 to resume negotiations (under Ireland’s leadership) on the international political declaration aimed at strengthening the protection of civilians arising from the use of explosive weapons in towns, cities and other populated areas. 

Ireland released a revised draft political declaration in advance of negotiations, as well as an aide memoire and an agenda for the three days of discussion.

INEW has published a detailed commentary on the latest declaration text, highlighting areas that have improved and underscoring the remaining areas that need strengthening.

In light of the new draft text, we also updated our paper on the ‘10 elements for a successful political declaration’, available here.

We also recorded a new episode of our ‘After the Bombing’ podcast, in which INEW’s Coordinator and Steering Committee members share views on the latest draft of the political declaration in preparation for the upcoming negotiations.

Nations are today meeting to discuss one of the biggest threats to civilians in conflict, the use of #explosiveweapons in towns and cities (#EWIPA) – a chance to unite to better protect ordinary people from the effects of war and #stopbombingcivillians pic.twitter.com/Z3FoSBwxG6

— INEW (@explosiveweapon) April 6, 2022

INEW’s interventions at the negotiations:

• On the Preamble – Section 1
• On the Preamble – Section 2
• On the Operative Section – Section 3
• On the Operative Section – Section 4
• INEW’s closing statement

Rasmus Weschke @RWeschke of @NPAdisarm gives a rundown of yesterday’s meeting on civilian protection from #explosiveweapons. #StopBombingCivilians #ewipa pic.twitter.com/gD2s7hrS1o

— INEW (@explosiveweapon) April 8, 2022

INEW’s daily summaries of proceedings:

• • Day 1 – 6 April 2022
  • Day 2 – 7 April 2022
  • Day 3 – 8 April 2022

.@SteveDGoose on behalf of INEW: “The impact and success of the Political Declaration will depend on the strength of Section 3, and in particular paragraph 3.3. Paragraph 3.3 is the core commitment in the declaration, and it must be bold and carefully crafted.” pic.twitter.com/j6JH50taww

— INEW (@explosiveweapon) April 7, 2022

Press release:

• Press release – 5 April 2022
• Press release – 8 April 2022

In the news:

• Ukraine war looms over conference on curbing use of heavy bombs in cities, The Guardian.
• Ukraine adds urgency to stalled explosive weapons talks in Geneva, Geneva Solutions. 
• Agreement Would Curb Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas, Voice of America. 
• Countries Near Agreement to Spare Populated Areas from Explosive Weapons, Voice of America. 
• Cautious optimism following weapons talks, The Lancet. 
• Countries reach agreement curbing use of explosive weapons in cities, Geneva Solutions.