General Exchange of Views (Agenda Item #10, 24 November)
- The 9MSP President-Designate has indicated that in keeping with the practices used at previous meetings and given the need for ample time to be made available to discuss Article 5 extension requests, at the 9MSP delegations will again be discouraged from delivering statements of a general nature. In lieu of delivering general oral statements, States Parties may if they wish distribute written statements.
Presentation of requests submitted under Article 5 (Agenda Item #11, 25-26 November)*
- The aim of this session is threefold: a) for requesting States Parties to present the key aspects of their extension requests, b) for the 8MSP President to present the analysis of requests and, c) for delegations to ask questions on the requests. The actual formal consideration of the requests will take place under agenda Item 13 on Friday November 28, 2008.
Consideration of the general status and operation of the Convention (Agenda Item #12, 26-28 November)*
- In keeping with past practice, much of the consideration of the general status and operation of the Convention will feature thematic discussions on the core aims of the Convention and on other matters essential for achieving the aims of the Convention.
- States Parties that are in the process of clearing mined areas, assisting the victims, destroying stockpiled mines or fulfilling other obligations may wish to seize the opportunity presented by these thematic discussions to provide further clarity or new information on the steps they are taking to fulfil their responsibilities.
- In order to prepare updates on these matters, relevant States Parties may wish to provide additional information in accordance with questions posed by the Co-Chairs in advance of the June 2008 meetings of the Standing Committees.
- In preparing updates, States Parties should take into account that only new information should be provided, that updates on most matters should be brief and that updates on more complex aspects of implementation (e.g., mine clearance) should not exceed five to eight minutes.
Universalising the Convention (Agenda Item #12.a, 26 November)*
- States not parties may wish to provide updates on steps they are taken towards accession to the Convention.
- States Parties and others may wish to provide updates on efforts they have undertaken since the 8MSP to promote universal acceptance of the Convention.
Destroying stockpiled anti-personnel mines (Agenda Item #12.b, 26 November)*
- States Parties that have recently fulfilled Article 4 stockpile destruction obligations may wish to consider the following questions:
1. What steps did your State take to establish the type, quantity, and, if possible, lot numbers of all stockpiled anti-personnel mines owned or possessed?
2. What appropriate national and local capacities were established or used to meet your State’s Article 4 stockpile destruction obligations?
3. What methods were used to destroy the stockpiled mines, where were the mines destroyed and what safety and environmental standards were observed in the destruction process?
4. How many mines of which types were destroyed and during which time period?
5. What, if any, difficulties did your State face in the destruction of its stockpiled anti-personnel mines and how were these challenges overcome?
- States Parties that are in the process of fulfilling Article 4 stockpile destruction obligations may wish to consider the following questions:
1. What steps has your State taken to establish the type, quantity, and, if possible, lot numbers of all stockpiled anti-personnel mines owned or possessed?
2. What appropriate national and local capacities have been established to meet your Article 4 stockpile destruction obligations?
3. What is the status of your State’s stockpile destruction programme? (How many mines have been destroyed and remain to be destroyed? What is your time table for the destruction of these mines?)
4. What, if any, difficulties do you face in the destruction of your stockpiled anti-personnel mines? If relevant, what are your priorities for external financial, technical or other assistance?
- States Parties that are in the process of fulfilling their obligations under Article 4 and that have missed their deadlines for destroying stockpiled anti-personnel mines may wish to consider the following questions:
1. What are the circumstances that have prevented your State from complying with its obligations on time?
2. What steps has your State taken to proceed in destroying all stockpiled anti-personnel mines owned or possessed? How many mines have been destroyed and how many remain to be destroyed?
3. What is your State’s plan, including time-lines and a prospective end date, for complying as soon as possible?
Clearing mined areas (Agenda Item #12.c, 27 November)*
- States Parties that are in the process of fulfilling Article 5 mine clearance obligations (other than States Parties that have submitted extension requests) may wish to consider the following questions:
1. What is your State’s plan to destroy or ensure the destruction of all anti-personnel mines in mined areas under your State’s jurisdiction or control as soon as possible?
2. What progress has been made in the implementation of your State’s national demining programme since the last time that an update was provided to the Standing Committee?
3. What work remains in order for your State to be in compliance with its obligation to have destroyed or ensured the destruction of all anti-personnel mines in mined areas under your State’s jurisdiction or control?
4. What, if any, circumstances may impede the ability of your State to destroy or ensure the destruction of all anti-personnel mines in mined areas under your State’s jurisdiction or control within ten years after entry into force of the Convention for your State? What is the prospective end-date for your State to have fully implemented Article 5?
5. What financial and technical means has your State dedicated to ensuring the fulfillment of your State’s Article 5 obligations?
6. What new methodologies, if any, are being explored or have been employed in your State’s effort to fulfill its Article 5 obligations before its deadline?
7. If mine action in your country is still conducted or partially managed by foreign organizations and/or international organizations, what are the steps that your State has taken to develop its national capacity?
8. What, if any, are your priorities for external assistance to support your State’s fulfillment of its Article 5 obligations?
Assisting the victims (Agenda Item #12.d, 27 November)*
States Parties that have reported the responsibility for significant numbers of landmine survivors may wish to consider the following questions:
1. Can you provide specific examples of data collection mechanisms available that can provide comprehensive information on the numbers, location and needs of mine survivors to support the needs of programme planners and resource mobilisation?
2. Can you provide specific examples of progress in improving access to trauma care services with well-trained personnel and well-equipped facilities in close proximity to those who may need to access these services?
3. Can you provide specific examples of progress in improving access to rehabilitation services with well-trained personnel and well-equipped facilities to promote the physical well-being and the equalisation of opportunities for persons with disabilities?
4. Can you provide specific examples of progress in improving access to appropriate psychological and social support, including through peer support and other programmes, to assist mine victims and their families?
5. Can you provide specific examples of progress in increasing access to programmes, training, micro-finance schemes and other activities that promote the economic inclusion of mine survivors and other persons with disabilities?
6. Can you provide specific examples of how national legal and policy frameworks are effectively addressing the needs and fundamental human rights of mine victims and other persons with disabilities, including policies on accessibility to the built environment?
7. Can you provide specific examples of how relevant ministries have been involved in the development of a plan of action and are effectively cooperating in implementing the plan and monitoring its implementation?
* Timings subject to change
