A) Objectives of the pledge:
Austria, the Austrian Red Cross, Ireland and the Irish Red Cross pledge to continue to engage in raising international awareness about the challenge for the protection of civilians in armed conflict posed by the use of explosive weapons in populated areas (EWIPA). We further pledge to continue to work for effective measures to strengthen the respect for international humanitarian law in this regard, including by contributing to the elaboration of a political declaration on EWIPA. We remain gravely concerned about the humanitarian consequences related to the use of explosive weapons in populated areas.
B) Action plan:
Austria, the Austrian Red Cross, Ireland and the Irish Red Cross will use all opportunities for raising awareness about the the obligation to protect civilians in armed conflict, and in particular from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas, and will promote compliance with IHL on all occasions. Austria will actively contribute to the elaboration of a political declaration on EWIPA, which is facilitated by Ireland.
C) Indicators for measuring progress:
Progress will be measured on bringing about a political declaration on the use of explosive weapons in populated areas, actions to implement such declaration, better respect for IHL in this regard and less civilian victims and destruction.
D) Resource implications:
The personnel resources required for these activities, including participation by Austria in the consultations on a political declaration, will be covered by Austria.