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Opening CeremonyA ceremony preceded the official opening of the 10MSP, which was presided over by Ambassador Jürg Lauber of Switerland. The opening ceremony featured the following Albanian musicians performing compositions from the Kukes region of Albania – historically the most mine affected region of the country: Desar Sulejmani, Isak Shehu, Pjeter Guralumi and Ramona Tullumani.
The opening ceremony also featured a presentation of video produced by Handicap International which depicted the daily reality faced by landmine survivors in Albania and elsewhere and efforts that are being undertaken to assist survivors. 1. Official Opening of the 10MSPThe 10MSP was officially opened by the President of the Second Review Conference, Ambassador Susan Eckey of Norway. In her closing remarks, which closed her term as the Convention’s President, Ambassador Eckey noted the importance at the Second Review Conference and since in refocusing attention on “the humanitarian essence of the Convention” and on emphasising that “compliance makes a difference”.
2. Election of the President of the 10MSPAmbassador Eckey presided over the election of the President of the 10MSP, H.E. Gazmend Turdiu, Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Albania. In his opening statement as President, Gazmend Turdiu noted that since the 2009 Cartagena Summit, the Convention is “continuing to head in the right direction” but that the States Parties “must not become complacent”.
3. Addresses by UN, ICBL, ICRC, GICHDIn keeping with past practice, messages were delivered by or on behalf of the UN Secretary-General (delivered by Sergei Ordzhonikidze, Director General of the UN Office at Geneva), the Nobel Peace Prize Co-Laureates Jody Williams the ICBL (delivered by Per Nergaard of Norwegian Peoples Aid), and, the President of the Council of Foundation of the GICHD, Barbara Haering. The President noted that the President of the ICRC, who traditionally is called upon to deliver a message, spoke during the opening ceremony.
4. Adoption of the AgendaThe 10MSP adopted its agenda.
5. Election of Vice PresidentsIn keeping with tradition, the Co-Chairs of the Standing Committees were elected Vice Presidents of the 10MSP, namely: Bulgaria, Ecuador, Greece, Indonesia, Nigeria, Peru, Slovenia and Turkey. 6. Confirmation of the Secretary GeneralThe meeting confirmed the designation of Ambassador Jürg Lauber as the Secretary-General of the 10MSP. In addition, the President informed that meeting that Peter Kolarov of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs had been appointed Executive Secretary of the 10MSP and that Kerry Brinkert, Director of the Implementation Support Unit, would support the President in all facets of his work as the 10MSP President’s Executive Coordinator. 7. Organisation of WorkThe meeting adopted its programme of work.
8. General Exchange of ViewsThe following States Parties delivered general statements:
The following observer delegations delivered general statements or provided written statements: It was noted that Finland indicated that a bill to accede to the Convention will be presented to Finland’s parliament in the spring or summer of 2011 in order for accession to take place in 2012. In addition during the general exchange of views, Turkey exercised its right of reply. Finally, during the general exchange of views, the President provided an opportunity for 11 year-old Israeli landmine survivor, Daniel Yuval, to address the meeting. Daniel, who as injured by a landmine in the Golan Heights, stated that “we in the Middle East have a big problem, but we know it can be done. My neighbour Jordan joined the Mine Ban Treaty and is almost finished clearing all its minefields. I hope Israel will be next. I hope soon all the world will be free from landmines”.
9. Presentation of Article 5 Mine Clearance RequestsThe President of the Second Review Conference presented a report on the work of the States Parties that were mandated to analyse requests on mine clearance deadlines submitted under Article 5 of the Convention. Following the presentation by the President of the Second Review Conference, the ICBL offered general remarks on the Article 5 extension process in 2010. Colombia presented is request for a ten year extension, until 1 March 2021. The President of the Second Review presented the analysis of Colombia’s request. Following these presentations, the following delegations offered their views: Australia, the ICRC and the ICBL.
Denmark presented is request for an eighteen month extension, until 1 July 2012. The President of the Second Review presented the analysis of Denmark’s request. Following these presentations, the following delegations offered their views: the ICBL and Jordan
Guinea Bissau presented is request for a two month extension, until 1 January 2021. The President of the Second Review presented the analysis of Guinea Bissau’s request. Following these presentations, the following delegations offered their views: the ICBL, Angola, Portugal, Senegal and Gambia
Mauritania presented is request for a five year extension, until 1 January 2016. The President of the Second Review presented the analysis of Mauritania’s request. Following these presentations, the following delegations offered their views: Australia, the ICBL, Chad, Jordan, Senegal, Algeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Zimbabwe presented is request for a two year extension, until 1 January 2013. The President of the Second Review presented the analysis of Zimbabwe’s request. Following these presentations, the following delegations offered their views: the ICBL, Mozambique, Botswana, South Africa, Angola and Algeria. |