Actions taken:
Austria is heading the core group of states working out the text of a political declaration against the use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas (EWIPA) and continue to work on awareness raising on this topic in international fora.
Closely connected with its awareness raising efforts, Austria will hold a major conference in Vienna on 1-2 October 2019, to which it expects attendance by more than 100 states, international organizations, numerous NGOs, scientists and the media. The aim of the conference “Protecting Civilians in Urban Warfare” is not only to raise awareness towards the problem of the use of EWIPA, but also to start the process of preparing a Political Declaration (as proposed by the UN-SG and the ICRC), which should be adopted in Dublin in 2020. Furthermore, Austria plans to hold a side event on this topic together with other states and Red Cross Societies at the 33rd International Red Cross Conference this autumn.