Antigua and Barbuda has not yet endorsed the Political Declaration on the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. It did not actively participate in the negotiations towards a Political Declaration.
Statements and positions
Along with 22 other Latin American and Caribbean states, Antigua and Barbuda participated in the Santiago Regional Meeting on Protecting Civilians from the Use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas in 2018. The meeting produced the Santiago Communiqué, in which the participating states agreed to take further action on the issue. This included: avoid the use of explosive weapons with wide area effects in populated areas; act to enhance compliance with international humanitarian and human rights law to ensure the protection of civilians and civilian objects; fully support the process that will lead to the negotiation and adoption of an international political declaration on the use of explosive weapons in populated areas; encourage collection of data; promote bilateral and regional cooperation through sharing experiences, good practices and expertise; constructively engage in discussions and initiatives at the international level that could effectively provide greater protection to civilians in armed conflicts; strengthen cooperation and partnerships with international organisations and civil society organisations to draw upon their relevant expertise and support.1
Antigua and Barbuda endorsed the Ireland-led joint statement during the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly First Committee in 2019.2 The statement recognised the devastating humanitarian effects of the use EWIPA and encouraged states to participate in international efforts to address the impacts of the use of EWIPA on civilians, including by working towards the creation of an international political declaration on this issue.3