Leveraging Data to Reduce Civilian Harm during Military Operations in Populated Areas: Practical, Data-Driven Steps to Implement the Political Declaration on Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas

Building on UNIDIR’s research and insights from an expert workshop held in Geneva in April 2025, this report examines how data collection and analysis can strengthen efforts to prevent and mitigate civilian harm during military operations in populated areas and advance the objectives of the Political Declaration on Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas.

It explores how a data-driven approach can better enable States and their armed forces to identify risks to civilians during the planning and execution of such operations and to manage those risks more effectively. The report also considers how data can inform the review and development of policies and operational practices, as well as supporting functions such as training, doctrine, capabilities, processes and leadership structures.

Drawing on good practices and lessons learned, the report provides practical considerations to guide a meaningful and effective implementation of the Declaration, and concludes with recommendations on leveraging data to achieve its ultimate goal: strengthening the protection of civilians and reducing harm from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas.

Citation: Bárbara Morais Figueiredo and Larry Lewis, “Leveraging Data to Reduce Civilian Harm during Military Operations in Populated Areas:Practical, Data-Driven Steps to Implement the Political Declaration on EWIPA” UNIDIR, Geneva, 2025.