Vienna Conference on Protecting Civilians in Urban Warfare

Austria Center Vienna, 1 and 2 October 2019

 

Armed conflicts are increasingly fought in populated areas. According to “Action on Armed Violence” 20,384 civilians were recorded directly killed or injured by explosive weapons in populated areas in 2018. When explosive weapons were used in populated areas, 90% of the victims were civilians. Beyond the immediate deaths and injuries, the use of explosive weapons in populated areas leads to the destruction of essential infrastructure like houses, hospitals, schools, water and electricity supply systems, and is a key driver of population displacement across and within borders.

The protection of civilians from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas can be significantly enhanced. The International Committee of the Red Cross and the UN Secretary-General have independently appealed to parties to armed conflicts to avoid the use, in populated areas, of explosive weapons with a wide area impact.

While existing international law provides a firm basis for protecting civilians from the harm caused by explosive weapons in populated areas, a growing number of governments have voiced concern about the need to enhance this protection and strengthen the application of International Humanitarian Law. Improvement in the policies and practices of parties using explosive weapons would help to prevent or minimize harm to civilians.

The UN Secretary-General has called on states to engage constructively in efforts to develop a political declaration to address the harm caused by the use of explosive weapons in populated areas.

The Vienna Conference will foster a common understanding by discussing the various forms of harm caused by the use of explosive weapons in populated areas, the legal context and good examples of military practices. Furthermore, the Vienna Conference will provide space for an exchange of views on relevant issues regarding the Secretary-General’s proposal to develop a political declaration.

The Vienna Conference will

- be open to all interested parties. All UN Member and Observer States are invited to nominate participants. International organizations and civil society representatives with relevant expertise are equally invited to participate;

- feature facts based expert presentations followed by discussions and aims to allow for an interactive debate among participants.

More detailed information about the agenda, registration, sponsorship programme and logistics as well as information for media can be found on this website.

 

Statements High Level Opening Segment

Alexander Schallenberg, Federal Minister for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs

Izumi Nakamitsu, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs

Gilles Carbonnier, Vice-President of the International Committee of the Red Cross

A message from His Holiness, Pope Francis

List of participants

Conference Summary Papers

Summary Papers
Issues Paper

Conference Registration

Media Advisory

Background Papers