Protection in urban warfare: Reducing risk to civilians, civilian infrastructure and humanitarian workers in conflict
Aquarium
This session aims to raise awareness of the humanitarian consequences of urban warfare, including of the use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas (EWIPA). It will discuss how to address the complex protection challenges of civilians and civilian infrastructure. In this context, it will debate the best practices to protect civilians and key infrastructure, both through preparedness and response. The session will also present concrete steps that need to be taken by various actors (states, donors, international organizations, civil society) in order to use the momentum created by the Political Declaration on EWiPA in November 2022 and contribute to its meaningful implementation, with regards to several aspects such as collecting data on harm, victims’ assistance, addressing the reverberating effects and protecting civilians through adapted military practices.
Noel White is the Permanent Representative of Ireland to the United Nations and Other International Organisations in Geneva. He took up duty in December 2022. Prior to his appointment to Geneva Mr White served in Brussels as Ireland’s Ambassador to the EU Political and Security Committee from 2017. From 2016 to 2017 he served as Director for International Security Policy at the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin; from 2012 to 2016 as Ambassador to Australia, with parallel accreditation to New Zealand, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands; and, as Director/Spokesperson at the Press Office from 2010 to 2012. Mr White also worked at the EU General Secretariat of the Council as a Political Administrator. Other posts include Director of Development Cooperation at Headquarters and Director of Institutional Affairs at Ireland’s Permanent Representation to the EU. Mr White graduated in law from Trinity College Dublin, and subsequently studied at King’s Inns where he qualified as Barrister-at-Law.
Member State authority
Protection in urban warfare: Reducing risk to civilians, civilian infrastructure and humanitarian workers in conflict
Aquarium
This session aims to raise awareness of the humanitarian consequences of urban warfare, including of the use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas (EWIPA). It will discuss how to address the complex protection challenges of civilians and civilian infrastructure. In this context, it will debate the best practices to protect civilians and key infrastructure, both through preparedness and response. The session will also present concrete steps that need to be taken by various actors (states, donors, international organizations, civil society) in order to use the momentum created by the Political Declaration on EWiPA in November 2022 and contribute to its meaningful implementation, with regards to several aspects such as collecting data on harm, victims’ assistance, addressing the reverberating effects and protecting civilians through adapted military practices.
Nora has been working for Save the Children Afghanistan since September 2021 - soon after the Taliban took control of the country – and leads on Programme Operations. She has been working for Save the Children for ten years, and has 13 years humanitarian experience - mostly working in first phase large-scale emergencies in fragile contexts including Yemen, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Nigeria, Mozambique, and the Occupied Palestinian Territories
International organisation
Protection in urban warfare: Reducing risk to civilians, civilian infrastructure and humanitarian workers in conflict
Aquarium
This session aims to raise awareness of the humanitarian consequences of urban warfare, including of the use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas (EWIPA). It will discuss how to address the complex protection challenges of civilians and civilian infrastructure. In this context, it will debate the best practices to protect civilians and key infrastructure, both through preparedness and response. The session will also present concrete steps that need to be taken by various actors (states, donors, international organizations, civil society) in order to use the momentum created by the Political Declaration on EWiPA in November 2022 and contribute to its meaningful implementation, with regards to several aspects such as collecting data on harm, victims’ assistance, addressing the reverberating effects and protecting civilians through adapted military practices.