Wednesday 11 February

1. Opening of the meeting

The meeting was opened by its Co-Chairs, Ambassador Kuniko Inoguchi of Japan and H.E. Sam Sotha of Cambodia, with the support of its Co-Rapporteurs Ms. Nassima Baghli of Algeria and Ms. Anneli Lindahl-Kenney of Sweden.

• Opening statement by H.E. Sam Sotha of Cambodia, Co-Chair

2. General overview on the status of implementation

Co-Chair Ambassador Kuniko Inoguchi made a brief statement on the general status of implementation, followed by an in-depth presentation by Mr. Bill Howell on behalf of the ICBL.

• Statement by Ambassador Kuniko Inoguchi of Japan, Co-Chair
• Presentation by the ICBL PDF 60KB 

In addition, Ambassador Inoguchi introduced a detailed document prepared by the Implementation Support Unit containing an overview of the mine affected States Parties' problems, plans, progress and priorities for assistance.

• Progress in implementing Article 5 PDF 448KB 
  Background information compiled by the Implementation Support Unit of the GICHD

3. Updates from relevant States Parties on the status of implementation

The following States Parties provided updates on the problems they face, their plans, progress and priorities for assistance pertaining to their Article 5 obligations:

• Yemen PDF 1.6MB
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Afghanistan PDF 355KB
• Albania
• Thailand PDF 42KB 
• Macedonia, Former Yugoslav Republic of
• Congo, Republic of
• Tajikistan PDF 9KB 
• Turkey
• Cambodia PDF 467KB
• Mozambique
• Peru Spanish PDF 2.3MB
• Ecuador Spanish PDF 22KB
• Guatemala
• Uganda PDF 12KB
• Zimbabwe
• Guinea Bissau
• Jordan
• Suriname
• Malawi
• Niger French Text PDF 19KB | Slides PDF 128KB
• Sudan PDF 107KB 
• Rwanda
• Mauritania French PDF 1.7MB
• Namibia
• Solomon Islands

4. Updates from those in a position to do regarding assistance and cooperation

The following took the floor to share views and information with respect to the application of Article 6 responsibilities regarding assistance and cooperation.

• Kenya
• Japan
• Germany
• France
• Italy PDF 10KB
• Spain Spanish PDF 27KB 

5. Update from the United Nations

A detailed presentation was made by Mr. Sayed Aqa of the UNDP, on behalf of the UN system, highlighting the application of the Revised UN Mine Action Strategy.

• Presentation by Mr. Sayed Aqa of the UNDP PDF 46KB

In addition, Mr. Martin Barber, Director of the UNMAS, proposed that the UNMAS provide assistance to mine-affected States Parties by distributed to them, with the assistance of the ISU, a suggested format for preparing mine action plans. This proposal was warmly welcomed by both the Co-Chairs and the ICBL.

6. Survey of progress made and ongoing work in mine action technologies

The Co-Chair informed the Standing Committee that the day before the meeting an informal group of experts had met to hold detailed discussions on the state of mine action technologies. Professor Marc Acheroy of Belgium, coordinator of the informal group, was called upon to provide a summary of the group's discussions.

• Presentation by Professor Marc Acheroy of Belgium PDF 22KB 

In addition, technology experts from the following States Parties made presentations:

• Germany PDF 3.2MB 
• Sweden Text PDF 25KB | Slides PDF 741KB 

7. Closure of the meeting

Co-Chair Ambassador Inoguchi of Japan closed the meeting by challenging: all States Parties to submit their Article 7 reports as soon as possible; the donor community to highlight in June how they will renew their commitments in advance of the Review Conference; and, the approximately 25 mine-affected States Parties which did not speak at the meeting to do so in June.