Written question asked by Helen Maguire (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 20 November 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 25 November 2025. It was answered by Stephen Doughty (Labour) on Monday, 1 December 2025 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Armed Conflict: Children

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps she is taking with UN counterparts to help reduce child casualties from explosive weapons.

Answer: Earlier this month, the UK participated in the Second International Conference of the Political Declaration on Strengthening the Protection of Civilians from the Humanitarian Consequences Arising from the Use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas (EWIPA), and officials emphasised the particular importance of protecting children from both direct and indirect impacts of those weapons. The UK is also a member of the UN Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict and plays a key role in ensuring scrutiny of conflicts where children are harmed and holding perpetrators to account.

Secondary information