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07.04.2021
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Netherlands, as President of the Convention and the Coordinating Committee, held a workshop with States Parties, to among others, raise awareness of the importance of exchanging information on implementation of the Convention as called for under Article 7 and the Oslo Action Plan.
The workshop led by H.E. Robbert Gabriëlse, Permanent Representative of the Netherlands to the Conference on Disarmament and Ambassador-at-large for Disarmament Affairs, was held in preparation of the approaching 30 April Article 7 deadline.
The virtual event with 104 participants from 53 States Parties, was co-led by the Chairs of the various Committees namely on Article 5 Implementation (Zambia), Victim Assistance (Thailand), Enhancement of Cooperation and Assistance (Colombia), Cooperative Compliance (Netherlands), and Spain in representation of the Coordinating Committee’s Gender Focal Points (Germany, Norway, Spain and Sweden).
President: Best Practices, Compliance (Retained Mines for Permitted Purposes)
- Slides: Best Practices | Compliance
- Statement: Best Practices, and Retained Mines for Permitted Purposes
Article 5 Implementation
Zambia, as Chair of the Committee on Article 5 Implementation shared the status of implementation of the various commitments on survey and clearance, mine risk education and reduction, and challenges in reporting associated with these actions.
The Committee used the opportunity to remind States Parties of the importance of States Parties “establishing an evidence-based baseline of contamination” and related “information within the Article 7 Report on the progress made in survey and methodologies being employed.”
Victim Assistance
Thailand, as Chair of the Committee on Victim Assistance, reminded the States Parties of the understanding of ensuring sustainability of victim assistance efforts by their integration into broader national frameworks.
The Committee further highlighted key objectives of the Oslo Action Plan including to “designate an agency to take the lead on efforts to integrate victim assistance into broader national frameworks and developing, monitoring, and reporting on the implementation of national plan”. The Chair added that some of these matters “may be new in terms of reporting but reporting on the indicators is crucial in order for us to carry out our mandate of assessing implementation of victim assistance commitments.”
Cooperation and Assistance
Colombia, as Chair of the Committee on the Enhancement of Cooperation and Assistance, highlighted the fact that this obligation is a responsibility of both the States requiring assistance and those in a position to provide it. The Committee further highlighted efforts carried out to encourage States to establish national mine action platforms, and participate in the individualised approach. These platforms are key to maintaining regular dialogue with stakeholders and sharing of implementation challenges.
Gender and Diverse Needs
Spain, as representative of the Coordinating Committee’s Gender Focal Points, called on States Parties to report in their Article 7 Reports on their efforts to ensure that gender and the diverse needs of mine-affected communities are taken into consideration in all aspects of implementation. Spain highlighted that in adopting the Oslo Action Plan, the States Parties had committed to reporting on this important aspect of implementation.
Reporting tools and support available
- ISU Director's notes | Slides: Available Tools and Resources
- Guideline for Reporting and the Oslo Action Plan