Bosnia and Herzegovina was not directly involved in the process to develop a Political Declaration on the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. It was, however, among the first group of states to endorse the Political Declaration in Dublin in November 2022.
Statements and positions
Bosnia and Herzegovina attended and spoke at the first international follow-up conference on the Political Declaration in Oslo, Norway in April 2024. The country spoke about its experience with the effects of the use of explosive weapons in populated areas and expressed concern about ongoing use in Ukraine and Gaza. Bosnia and Herzegovina underlined the importance of concrete action, stating that good intentions alone were not enough. 1
As a Candidate Country to the European Union (EU), the Bosnia and Herzegovina has also aligned with EU statements condemning the use of explosive weapons in populated areas and the harms it causes to civilians and civilian objects, as well as calling for greater IHL compliance and welcoming the Political Declaration. This includes at several UN Security Council open debates on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, including in 2024 when it expressed deep concern about the use and humanitarian consequences of explosive weapons in populated areas “which has significant civilian impact and should thus be restricted and avoided”2 as well as at the 2022 UN Security Council open debate on war in cities where the EU expressed concern over the indiscriminate use of explosive weapons in populated areas, including near hospitals, schools, and universities 3 At the UN General Assembly in 2025 Bosnia and Herzegovina aligned with the EU statement, which recalled the Political Declaration and its “aim to reduce harm and strengthen the protection of civilians” and noted the Costa Rica conference offered an opportunity to “translate the Declaration into concrete measures on the ground”. 4 At First Committee in 2023 the EU welcomed the Political Declaration and highlighted the importance of its adoption as well as the work ahead for implementing the Declaration’s commitments, including at the 2024 Oslo Conference. 5
In October 2018, Bosnia and Herzegovina was one of 50 states to endorse the joint statement on the use of explosive weapons in populated areas at the UN General Assembly First Committee, calling attention to the devastating and long-lasting humanitarian impact of the use of explosive weapons in populated areas and urging states to reverse the trend of high levels of civilian harm. 6 Bosnia and Herzegovina also endorsed the Ireland-led joint statement during the 74th United Nations General Assembly’s First Committee in 2019. 7 The statement encouraged states to participate in international efforts to address the impacts of the use of explosive weapons in populated areas on civilians, including by working towards the creation of an international Political Declaration on this issue. 8
Implementation of the Political Declaration
In February 2024, INEW and EWM conducted a state survey into endorser states' national efforts to disseminate and implement the Political Declaration; and in May 2025 EWM conducted a second survey. 9 In the 2025 survey, Bosnia and Herzegovina reported that it had designated a national focal point for overseeing the implementation of the Declaration is its Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Mine Action Center (BHMAC). The MFA is responsible for promoting and monitoring the implementation on a national level and universalisation on an international level; MAC is responsible for national mine action activities; and the Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces serve as key implementation partners. 10
Bosnia and Herzegovina reported that it is reviewing its operational doctrine to align national practices with the Political Declaration, focussing inter alia on restricting the use of heavy explosive weapons in urban areas, and ensuring that operational planning incorporates risk assessments of direct, indirect, and reverberating effects of explosive weapons. Its Armed Forces have already adopted internal policies restricting the use of heavy explosive munitions in urban areas, and it is in the process of updating its Armed Forces’ training curriculum to reflect EWIPA commitments, focusing on the effects of explosive weapons in populated areas and mitigation strategies. Bosnia and Herzegovina is also reviewing coordination mechanisms between civilian agencies (its Mine Action Centre and civil protection services) and the Armed Forces to ensure a unified approach to protecting civilians in the instance of the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. It reported that its National Mine Action Strategy (2024–2027) being updated to reflect the Political Declaration’s focus on post-conflict contamination and long-term community support, and that disaster risk reduction and civil protection frameworks are also being aligned to strengthen coordination during incidents involving explosive weapons, including mass-casualty and infrastructure-disruption events. 11
Bosnia and Herzegovina reported that efforts have also been made to disseminate the content of the Declaration and raise awareness among relevant national stakeholders, initially focussed on key ministries and military leadership. It also reported the organisation and planning of activities aimed at raising awareness, building capacity, and aligning national practices with its commitments under the Political Declaration as part of its national implementation efforts. 12