President of the 18MSP addresses the Conference on Disarmament

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 Geneva, 26 February 2020 - The President of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, or Ottawa Convention, marked 21 years since the entry into force of this landmark humanitarian and disarmament instrument by appealing to all members of the United Nations’ Conference on Disarmament that have not yet done so to join the Convention as soon as possible.

In his address, the Convention’s President, Ambassador Osman Abufatima Adam Mohammed of Sudan, also asked all States Parties to the Ottawa Convention to renew their efforts to implement the treaty.

"There are now 164 States have now made a solemn commitment to end the suffering and casualties caused by anti-personnel mines. Of course, ending the suffering caused by anti-personnel mines means more than only achieving universal acceptance of the Convention. We must also clear all mined areas, destroy all stocks and assist the victims."  said the Ambassador.

The Convention's President also noted other progress that has been achieved in twenty-one years of work and implementation of the Convention saying:

Ambassador Osman Abufatima Adam Mohammed of Sudan addressing the Conference on Disarmament

"Again, in twenty years since entry into force, significant progress has been made. There are now 31 States Parties that have complied with their obligations to identify mined areas and to destroy all anti-personnel mines within these mined areas. In addition, Chile has confirmed that it will conclude mine clearance efforts in 2020."

The Ambassador also noted that since the Convention entered into force, the States Parties have destroyed over 52 million stockpiled mines. 

He also underlined the work carried out in regards to Victim Assistance noting that "the link between the Convention’s promise to assist landmine survivors and the relevant human rights framework was strengthened through the Conventions interaction with the CRPD."

From 30 June to 2 July 2020, the States Parties will gather in Geneva for their Intersessional Meetings in preparation for the Eighteenth Meeting of States Parties to be held in November 2020. 

The Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention also known as the Ottawa Convention was adopted in 1997 and entered into force on 1 March 1999. There are 164 States Parties representing more than 80% of the countries in the world; together these States have destroyed more than 52 million stockpiled anti-personnel mines, and released millions of square meters of land that were once contaminated.

For more information contact isu(at)apminebanconvention.org