Sierra Leone is participating in the Second International Conference of States on the Political Declaration on Strengthening the Protection of Civilians from the Humanitarian Consequences of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas (EWIPA), taking place from 18 to 20 November in San José, Costa Rica.
Sierra Leone is fully engaged throughout the three-day programme, which began with the Protection Forum on 18 November and continues with the official opening of the Conference today, 19 November.
The Protection Forum, organised by the International Network on Explosive Weapons (INEW) in partnership with regional stakeholders, brought together governments, international organisations, humanitarian agencies, and civil society groups.
The discussions examined the humanitarian impacts of explosive weapons in populated areas and global civilian-harm trends. Deliberations focused on practical strategies for implementing the Political Declaration, including strengthened data collection, improved humanitarian access, enhanced military operational policies, and greater support for victims and affected communities. The Forum also provided Sierra Leone with an opportunity to engage in substantive exchanges and reaffirm its commitment to international efforts aimed at reducing civilian harm in armed conflict.
The Second International Conference officially opens on 19 November with keynote remarks by Costa Rica’s Vice Minister for Multilateral Affairs, Ambassador Alejandro Solano Ortiz. This will be followed by a joint UN statement delivered by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr. Volker Türk, and the UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Ms. Izumi Nakamitsu.
The President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Mrs. Mirjana Spoljaric, will also address the session. An endorsing ceremony led by Costa Rica will formally welcome States that have joined the Declaration since the first Conference in Oslo. Over the next two days, States will review progress in universalisation and implementation, share national experiences, and discuss ways to improve data systems, strengthen humanitarian access, and align military practices with the Declaration’s commitments. The meeting will also outline a roadmap toward the Third International Conference.
Sierra Leone has, in recent years, strengthened its national frameworks governing arms and ammunition through the Sierra Leone Commission on Arms and Ammunition (SLeCAA). The Arms and Ammunition Act of 2023 introduced stronger regulatory controls, including enhanced licensing procedures, closer monitoring of civilian possession, and reinforced mechanisms to prevent illicit circulation. These reforms significantly modernise Sierra Leone’s national arms-control regime and support broader efforts to enhance safety, accountability, and civilian protection.
Additionally, Sierra Leone has integrated EWIPA-related coordination into national institutions, maintains established procedures for the safe destruction of unserviceable munitions, and continues to promote the Declaration across African regional platforms and international fora. These steps reflect Sierra Leone’s broader commitment to responsible arms governance, crime prevention, strengthened law-enforcement capacity, and sustainable national peace-building.
Sierra Leone’s participation in the Second International EWIPA Conference reaffirms its dedication to the Political Declaration and to multilateral cooperation aimed at reducing civilian harm from explosive weapons. Throughout the conference, Sierra Leone will continue to highlight its progress in strengthening arms-control governance, supporting collective implementation, and contributing to global efforts to protect civilians in armed conflict.
Credit- Mohamed Sheriff
Information Attaché | Geneva, Switzerland
