Africa Regional Workshop on Strengthening the Protection of Civilians from the Use of EWIPA

The workshop, co-organized by Federal Ministry of European and International Affairs of Austria, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Ghana, the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons, and Article 36, will bring together African States, alongside civil society and international partners, to provide a space for dialogue and exchange.

It will focus on enhancing regional cooperation, sharing experiences, and identifying practical steps to strengthen the protection of civilians from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas, including through the implementation of the Political Declaration.

Purpose and objectives of the workshop

This regional workshop brings together states, civil society, and international partners to strengthen dialogue and cooperation around the Political Declaration. The workshop aims to:

1. Enhance understanding of EWIPA-related humanitarian impacts and the commitments in the Declaration.

2. Facilitate government-to-government exchange on endorsement, implementation, and national policy considerations

3. Encourage endorsement by non-endorsing states and support early implementation steps for endorsing states

4. Strengthen collaboration between states, civil society, the UN, and the ICRC

5. Highlight good practice, including African and global approaches to civilian harm mitigation

6. Build momentum for African engagement in global follow-up processes in 2026

7. Contribute toward an informal regional Common Plan of Action, in line with AU PSC recommendations