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1. Official opening of the meetingThe meeting was opened by the President of the Twelfth Meeting of the States Parties (12MSP), H.E. Matjaz Kovacic, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Slovenia to the United Nations (Geneva). 2. Election of the PresidentThe meeting elected H.E. Boudjemâa Delmi, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Algeria to the United Nations (Geneva), as President of the 13MSP. 3. Ceremonial opening of the Thirteenth MeetingThe 13MSP began with a brief message from the UN Secretary General, which was delivered by UNOG's Acting Director Michael Møller followed by the Vice President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, the International Campaign to Ban Landmines and the President of the Council of Foundation of the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining. 4. Adoption of the agendaThe meeting adopted its agenda, which was presented to delegations on 30 May at the meeting of the Standing Committee on the General Status and Operation of the Convention. 5. Election of the Vice-PresidentsThe meeting elected the ten Co-Chairs of the Standing Committees as Vice-Presidents of the 13MSP: Austria, Bulgaria, Colombia, Ecuador, Mozambique, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway and Thailand. 6. Confirmation of the Secretary-GeneralThe meeting confirmed, as Secretary-General of the 13MSP, H.E. Urs Schmid, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the Conference on Disarmament. 7. Organisation of workThe meeting adopted its programme, which had been presented to delegations on 30 May at the meeting of the Standing Committee on the General Status and Operation of the Convention. 8. General exchange of viewsThe following States Parties delivered general statements: Jordan, Japan, Germany, New Zealand, Brazil, Yemen, Thailand, Austria, Mexico, Algeria, Ecuador, Finland, the Philippines, Burundi, Kuwait, Indonesia and Turkey. Zambia submitted a written statement. In addition, the European Union delivered a statement on behalf of the 28 Member States of the EU (all of which are parties to the Convention) and nine other States Parties. The following observer delegations delivered general statements: China, Morocco, Palestine, UNMAS (on behalf of the UN Inter-Agency Coordination Group on Mine Action) and the ICBL. 9. Informal presentation of requests submitted under Article 5 and of analyses of these requestsChad presented its request for an extended mine clearance deadline and the 12MSP President presented the analysis of this request. The following delegations shared views with respect to this request: Norway, the ICBL and the ICRC. Mozambique presented its request for an extended mine clearance deadline and the 12MSP President presented the analysis of this request. The following delegations shared views with respect to this request: Australia, Norway, Angola, the ICRC and the ICBL. Niger presented its request for an extended mine clearance deadline and the 12MSP President presented the analysis of this request. The following delegations shared views with respect to this request: Australia, Norway, the ICBL and the ICRC. Serbia presented its request for an extended mine clearance deadline and the 12MSP President presented the analysis of this request. The following delegations shared views with respect to this request: Norway, Australia, the ICRC and the ICBL. 9. Informal presentation of requests submitted under Article 5 and of analyses of these requestsSudan presented its request for an extended mine clearance deadline and the 12MSP President presented the analysis of this request. The following delegations shared views with respect to this request: Norway, Australia, the ICBL and the ICRC. Turkey presented its request for an extended mine clearance deadline and the 12MSP President presented the analysis of this request. The following delegations shared views with respect to this request: Australia, Norway, the ICRC and the ICBL. Reflecting on how to enhance international and assistance and to increase resources mobilizationThe President recalled that the Cartagena Summit attached great importance to the matter of international cooperation and assistance and that the 13MSP is the last formal meeting to take stock of collective efforts on this and other matters before the Third Review Conference. In this context, the President introduced three interactive panel discussions on ways and means to enhance international and assistance and to increase resources mobilization. 10a. Interactive Panel Discussion #1: Assessing the Convention’s cooperation and assistance machinery.A panel that included the ISU, Mexico and the ICRC initiated discussion on assessing the Convention’s cooperation and assistance machinery. This was followed by views which were shared by the following delegations: Switzerland, the European Union, Yemen, Australia, Algeria, Japan and the ICBL. b. Interactive Panel Discussion #2: Exploring the use of partnerships to support Article 5 completionPanel members representing Mozambique, Norway and the UNDP initiated discussion on examining how Article 5 completion can be fueled by solid partnerships which feature strong national ownership by affected States Parties, a lasting commitment on the part of those in a position to assist, and an intermediary or capacity-building entity. A fourth panelist – UNMAS – highlighted the importance of partnerships for completion at the international level. This was followed by views which were shared by the following delegations: Colombia, Australia, Switzerland, the Netherlands and the ICBL. c. Interactive Panel Discussion #3: Exploring the use of partnerships to support victim assistanceA panel which included the Co-Chairs of the Standing Committee on Resources, Cooperation and Assistance, Ecuador and Thailand, initiated discussion on examining how partnerships can support efforts to assist mine victims. They noted that this was an important topic considered at the June 2013 Bangkok Symposium. They also presented other conclusions from the symposium. This was followed by views which were shared by the following delegation: the ICBL. 11a. Consideration of the general status and operation of the Convention: Victim AssistanceThe following States Parties that are responsible for significant numbers of mine victims provided updates on their efforts: Afghanistan, Cambodia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Peru, Sudan, Tajikistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Burundi.
11a. Consideration of the general status and operation of the Convention: Victim AssistanceThe following States Parties that are responsible for significant numbers of mine victims provided updates on their efforts: Chad, Colombia, Iraq, Jordan, Senegal, Thailand, Croatia, Mozambique, Angola and Guinea Bissau. The following other delegations shared views or information on the matter of assisting the victims: Algeria, Norway, Australia, the European Union, the United Kingdom, South Africa, the Czech Republic, Mexico, Chile, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, UNMAS, the ICBL and the ICRC. In addition, the incoming Co-Chairs of the Standing Committee on Victim Assistance – Austria and Costa Rica – delivered a statement. 11b. Consideration of the general status and operation of the Convention: Mine ClearanceThe Co-Chairs of the Standing Committee on Mine Clearance, Mozambique and the Netherlands, delivered a statement. The following States Parties declared completion of their efforts to implement Article 5 of the Convention: Venezuela, Bhutan, Hungary and Germany. The following delegation shared views in response to these declarations: UNMAS. The following States Parties that have previously been granted extended mine clearance deadlines provided updates: the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zimbabwe, Eritrea, Yemen, Mauritania and Senegal. The following delegation shared views in response to these updates: the ICBL. A second group of States Parties that have previously been granted extended mine clearance deadlines provided updates: Peru, Algeria, Ecuador, Angola, and Thailand. The following delegation shared views in response to these updates: the ICBL. 11a. Consideration of the general status and operation of the Convention: Victim AssistanceThe following States Parties that are responsible for significant numbers of mine victims provided updates on their efforts: Chad, Colombia, Iraq, Jordan, Senegal, Thailand, Croatia, Mozambique, Angola and Guinea Bissau. The following other delegations shared views or information on the matter of assisting the victims: Algeria, Norway, Australia, the European Union, the United Kingdom, South Africa, the Czech Republic, Mexico, Chile, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, UNMAS, the ICBL and the ICRC. In addition, the incoming Co-Chairs of the Standing Committee on Victim Assistance – Austria and Costa Rica – delivered a statement. 11b. Consideration of the general status and operation of the Convention: Mine ClearanceThe Co-Chairs of the Standing Committee on Mine Clearance, Mozambique and the Netherlands, delivered a statement. The following States Parties declared completion of their efforts to implement Article 5 of the Convention: Venezuela, Bhutan, Hungary and Germany. The following delegation shared views in response to these declarations: UNMAS. The following States Parties that have previously been granted extended mine clearance deadlines provided updates: the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zimbabwe, Eritrea, Yemen, Mauritania and Senegal. The following delegation shared views in response to these updates: the ICBL. A second group of States Parties that have previously been granted extended mine clearance deadlines provided updates: Peru, Algeria, Ecuador, Angola, and Thailand. The following delegation shared views in response to these updates: the ICBL.
11b. Consideration of the general status and operation of the Convention: Mine Clearance (continued)The following States Parties that have previously been granted extended mine clearance deadlines provided updates: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the United Kingdom, Argentina, Cambodia, Chile, Tajikistan, Colombia, and Afghanistan. The following other State Party that is in the process of implementing Article 5 provided an update: Burundi. The following delegation shared views in response to these updates: the ICBL. The following other delegations shared views or information on matters concerning mine clearance: South Africa, Switzerland, the European Union, Palau, Côte d’Ivoire, Zambia and Japan. In addition, Jordan and Norway submitted written statements. 11c. Consideration of the general status and operation of the Convention: Stockpile DestructionNorway, in its capacity as Co-Chair of the Standing Committee on Stockpile Destruction, opened discussion on this matter. The following States Parties in the process of destroying stockpiled anti-personnel mines to provided updates: Poland, Belarus, Greece, Ukraine and Finland. The following other delegations shared views or submitted written statements: the United States of America, the European Union, Lithuania, UNMAS on behalf of the IACG-MA, the ICRC and the ICBL. 11.d. Consideration of the general status and operation of the Convention: UniversalizationAs time did not permit, the meeting was unable to deal with the item on universalization. However, the following delegations did submit written statements: Belgium (in its capacity as Coordinator of the Universalization Contact Group), Australia, the United States of America, South Africa, the European Union, Slovenia, France, Mexico, Croatia, UNMAS on behalf of the IACG-MA and the ICBL. 11e. Consideration of the general status and operation of the Convention: Implementation SupportThe Director of the Implementation Support Unit introduced the draft 2014 ISU work plan and budget, the ISU’s 2013 interim narrative and financial report and the ISU’s 2012 audited financial statement.
The following delegations shared views on these matters: The Democratic Republic of the Congo, France, Jordan, Palau, Mexico and Colombia. The ISU’s 2014 work plan and budget, the ISU’s 2013 interim narrative and financial report and the ISU’s 2012 audited financial statement were subsequently adopted. Also under this agenda item, the 13MSP took the following decisions: The meeting agreed that the First Preparatory Meeting in advance of the Review Conference take place on 6 December 2013 and that a Second Preparatory Meeting take place in Geneva on 10 April 2014. The meeting agreed that intersessional work in 2014 take place the afternoon 9 April 2014 and that additional intersessional work could take place on 11 April 2014 subject to the Coordinating Committee considering what, if any, additional intersessional work may be required given the short period of time between the 13MSP and the Third Review Conference. The meeting agreed that the following States Parties will serve as Co-Chairs from the end of the 13MSP for a two-year term:
It was noted that these States Parties will join the following, which will be completing the second year of their two year terms between the end of the 13MSP and the end of the Third Review Conference:
It was further noted that these decisions on Co-Chairs were without prejudice to decisions the Third Review Conference in 2014 may wish to take with respect to the Convention’s committee structure or its meeting programme. The meeting agreed that the Convention’s Third Review Conference take place from the 23 to 27 June 2014 in Maputo, Mozambique and that H.E. Henrique Banze, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mozambique, be designated to preside over the Review Conference. The meeting accepted the proposal of the 12MSP President that Belgium preside over the 14MSP, without prejudice to when the 14MSP may take place. Following these decisions, the following delegation took the floor: Mozambique. Also under this agenda item, Australia, in the context of its role as Coordinator of the informal Sponsorship Programme, provided an update. 11f. Consideration of the general status and operation of the Convention: TransparencyAs time did not permit, the meeting was unable to deal with the item on transparency. However, the following delegations did submit written statements: Belgium (in its capacity as Coordinator of the Article 7 Contact Group) Slovenia, UNMAS on behalf of the IACG-MA and the ICBL. 11g. Consideration of the general status and operation of the Convention: Preventing and suppressing prohibited activities and facilitating complianceThe Co-Chairs the Standing Committee on the General Status and Operation of the Convention, Bulgaria and New Zealand, opened the discussion on this matter. The following delegations then took the floor to share views on compliance concerns: Yemen, Canada, Norway, Austria, the Netherlands, Italy, Croatia, Switzerland, Australia, Japan, Colombia, Germany, Malaysia, Turkey, Mexico, the ICRC, the ICBL, UNMAS, South Sudan and Costa Rica. In addition, following delegations shared views or provided updates on actions related to Article 9 of the Convention: Afghanistan and the ICRC. 11h. Consideration of the general status and operation of the Convention: Cooperation and AssistanceAs time did not permit, the meeting was unable to deal with the item on cooperation and assistance. However the following delegations did submit written statements: Thailand, as a Co-Chairs of the Standing Committee on Resources, Cooperation and Assistance, Lithuania, Sweden, Germany, Afghanistan, Australia, Cambodia, Peru and Ecuador, Myanmar and the ICBL. 12. Consideration of requests submitted under Article 5The meeting took decisions on the requests for extended mine clearance deadlines which had been submitted by Chad, Mozambique, Niger, Serbia, Sudan and Turkey.
The following delegations then took the floor with remarks related to the Article 5 requests: France, Serbia, Mexico, Chad and Sudan. 13. Consideration of matters arising from / in the context of reports submitted under Article 7As time did not permit, the meeting was unable to deal with this item. 14. Consideration of requests submitted under Article 8As time did not permit, the meeting was unable to deal with this item. 15. Date, duration, location and presidency for the Third Review Conference, and other matters pertaining to the Third Review ConferenceAll items of business related to the Third Review Conference were dealt with during discussions under Agenda Item 11.e. 16. Any other business.As time did not permit, the meeting was unable to deal with this item. 17. Consideration and adoption of the final documentThe meeting adopted its final report and in doing so warmly welcomed the Geneva Progress Report 2012-2013. In addition, in adopting its final report, the meet took decisions as relate to compliance and particularly compliance by Yemen.
18. Closure of the Thirteenth Meeting of the States PartiesThe meeting was closed by its President, H.E. Boudjemâa Delmi, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Algeria to the United Nations (Geneva).
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