Tánaiste Simon Harris statement on protecting civilians from explosive weapons, 19 November 2025

Statement delivered virtually by Simon Harris, Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, at the Second International Conference of the Political Declaration on Strengthening the Protection of Civilians from the Humanitarian Consequences Arising from the Use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas, in San José, Costa Rica, on 19 November 2025.

This is the prepared text of the speech. The remarks delivered may have varied.

Ministers, Excellencies, distinguished delegates,

I wish to extend Ireland’s appreciation to the Government of Costa Rica and to Foreign Minister Tinoco for hosting the second implementation conference of the EWIPA Political Declaration.

I also wish to thank all of those who have travelled to discuss how to strengthen the protection of civilians from the threats posed by explosive weapons in populated areas. This conference is an expression of our collective commitment to the protection of civilian lives.

Ireland was proud to host the adoption conference for the EWIPA Political Declaration in 2022. At the meeting in Dublin, 82 States endorsed a text that was the culmination of years of work by States and international and civil society organisations.

Since then, the number of States that have endorsed the Declaration has grown, implementation has progressed, and further research and regional discussions have helped to deepen our understanding of the issues. Your work in Costa Rica will build on that legacy, including the important steps taken in Oslo in 2024 at the first implementation conference.

The path ahead requires collective commitment and international cooperation. Together we can, and must, develop strong standards that build on our International Humanitarian Law obligations.

Ireland proudly champions the Secretary-General’s ongoing campaign to uphold humanitarian disarmament. For a decade now, successive UN Secretaries-General have been sounding the alarm about the high levels of civilian harm caused by the use of explosive weapons in populated areas.

This is a global issue. The devastating humanitarian and development consequences of EWIPA have been felt in conflict zones across the world, including in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, Yemen and Myanmar, amongst others.

In all of these conflicts, civilians have faced death, injury and disability, while communities have been ravaged by acute damage to essential services and infrastructure, resulting in long-lasting, reverberating effects.

The very foundations of communities are also weakened by destruction of places of community, worship and cultural heritage.

Appallingly, ninety percent of victims of EWIPA incidents are civilians, a large number of whom are children. The long-term effects of explosive weapons in urban environments create trauma that will last generations.

The need for action is clear.

Nationally, Ireland has taken steps to implement the Declaration and the Oslo conference recommendations. We continue to support regional initiatives that bring together policy-makers, military officials, international organisations and civil society to share and further develop best practices.

I wish to acknowledge the crucial work of partners who continue to develop a robust body of research on the use of EWIPA and its effects. I also want to acknowledge the power of testimonies from victims and survivors as was heard during the Protection Forum.

Ireland recognises the scale of the challenge before us. The Political Declaration remains relatively new. This conference is a further step on the journey to a safer tomorrow. The road is not short, but we need to maintain our ambitions.

By working together and promoting the Declaration, we can strengthen its adherence and implementation across our respective regions, enhancing its normative impact, ultimately safeguarding the life and well-being of civilians. Ireland looks forward to working with all of you to achieve that goal.

Thank you.