This year’s UN General Assembly’s 79th session started in mid-September, with the First Committee on Disarmament and International Security taking place throughout the month of October. On 23 October, INEW convened a focused discussion on the current high levels of explosive weapons in populated areas, their humanitarian consequences and the role that implementation and universalisation of the Political Declaration can play in strengthening the protection of civilians. The event was co-hosted with the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), Ireland, Norway, Costa Rica and the Philippines.
The event brought together some 50 individuals from states, international organisations and civil society. The panel was comprised of:
- Amb. Fergal Mythen (Moderator)
Permanent Mission of Ireland to the United Nations
- Amb. Merete Fjeld Brattested
Permanent Representative of Norway to the United Nations
- Amb. Maritza Chan Valverde
Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the United Nations
- Amb. Leila C. Lora-Santos
Permanent Mission of the Philippines to the United Nations
- Ms. Juliana Helou van der Berg
United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA)
- Ms. Marwa Almbaed
Survivor and self-advocate
- Ms. Camilla Molyneux
International Network on Explosive Weapons (INEW)
Amb. Fergal Mythen opened the event by expressing concern for the widespread use of explosive weapons and the devastating humanitarian consequences, highlighting conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine, Syria, Myanmar, Yemen and other contexts. He emphasised the importance of the Political Declaration, both in its implementation and universalisation.
Ms. Marwa Almbaed spoke about her life in Syria before and after the life-altering accident that paralysed her waist-down. She spoke in particular about seeing countless young people who lost limbs and were permanently injured with no available treatments or support for their complex injuries whilst she was in hospital. As she reflected on the Oslo conference, she recounted her disappointment in the lack of momentum and called for states to strongly condemn attacks and harm taking place. She concluded her remarks emphasising her personal experience, “I survived the war in Syria. I know what it means.”
Amb. Merete Fjeld Brattested spoke about the widespread use today, and the immense harm caused, mentioning Gaza specifically. She highlighted the achievement of the Political Declaration thus far, and the role that civil society organisations have played in its development, universalisation and implementation. She also stated that the Declaration is an opportunity to set new standards and new norms for explosive weapons use.
Amb. Leila C. Lora-Santos from the Permanent Mission of the Philippines to the United Nations, spoke about how the Philippines have begun the process of implementation and their efforts to engage with other states in the region, increasing universalisation.
Ms. Juliana Helou van der Berg from UNODA, highlighted the importance of implementation, which requires direction at the top levels of government, all the way down through all levels of the military. She shared the importance of practical implementation steps such as reviewing and developing new policies, practices and laws that are in line with the Declaration; the significance of political leadership and direction in these processes; the importance of community of practice when sharing best practices; and the need for each state to acknowledge that implementation looks different in each context.
Ms. Camilla Molyneux, Researcher from Explosive Weapons Monitor, represented INEW and spoke on the alarmingly high levels of harm we see today across various contexts, highlighting Gaza, Lebanon, Ukraine, Syria, Sudan and Myanmar. In light of these contexts and the ongoing and widespread use of explosive weapons, she emphasised the importance of the work that lies ahead on this issue. She stated, “it is of the utmost importance that states and civil society continue to call out this use, and use diplomatic means and influence to pressure those using explosive weapons to refrain from their use in populated areas. In addition to continuing the important work on universalisation, […] we encourage endorsing states to push ahead with implementing the commitments set out in the Declaration.”
Closing remarks came from Amb. Maritza Chan Valverde, the Costa Rican ambassador who reiterated earlier acknowledgments of widespread harm from previous speakers, as well as the importance of universalisation and implementation of the Political Declaration. She welcomed the participation of states in the second international follow-up conference in Costa Rica in 2025 and called on states to make meaningful progress on implementation to report on at the conference.