St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) and 81 other States, formally endorsed the Political Declaration on Strengthening the Protection of Civilians from the Humanitarian Consequences Arising from the Use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas (EWIPA).

High Commissioner, Cenio Lewis laying a flower at the memorial of the unknown civilian in Dublin Castle Gardens.

States, including representatives from international organisations, civic society, and survivors from war affected countries, gathered at Dublin Castle in Ireland on November 17 and 18, 2022 for this high-level conference to adopt the declaration, after it was finalised at the consultations held in Geneva, Switzerland on June 17, 2022.

A statement from this country’s High Commission in the UK said the declaration marks the culmination of almost three years of consultations led by Ireland, involving member States, the United Nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and civil-society organizations, including the International Network on Explosive Weapons (INEW).

The declaration’s focus is to address the devastating and long-lasting humanitarian impact of the use of explosive weapons in populated areas.

The SVG delegation included High Commissioner, Cenio Lewis, non-resident Ambassador to Ireland and High Commissioner of SVG to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; and Dr Christopher Stange, Consul General of SVG to Northern Ireland.

Ambassador Lewis made a plenary statement on behalf of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and laid a flower at the memorial of the unknown civilian in Dublin Castle Gardens in remembrance of all those who have died through the use of explosives.