21 March 2012
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| To: | The Permanent Missions to the United Nations of the States Parties to the ConventionThe Permanent Missions to the United Nations of the States not parties to the Convention Interested non-governmental and international organizations |
Excellencies, dear friends,
On behalf of the Co-Chairs of the Standing Committees established by the Convention’s States Parties, it is my pleasure to invite you to participate in the Convention’s 2012 Intersessional Work Programme as follows:
Meetings of the Standing Committees
21-25 May 2012
World Meteorological Organisation Building
Avenue de la Paix 7bis, Geneva
These meetings will take place approximately half-way between the 2009 Second Review Conference and the Convention’s Third Review Conference in 2014. As such, they provide us with an opportunity to take stock of the application of the Cartagena Action Plan 2010-2014. I would therefore ask that States Parties that are in the process of implementing key provisions of the Convention come prepared to highlight particular challenges they have encountered in meeting the aims of the Cartagena Action Plan and the objectives that they still intend to meet in time for the Third Review Conference.
In addition to the regular work of the five Standing Committees, the week of 21-25 May will again feature various Co-Chairs convening small group sessions to focus on particular national contexts or on otherwise advancing the aims of the Cartagena Action Plan. These small group sessions, which will be grounded in the Convention’s traditional spirit of partnership and cooperation, will take place on Thursday 24 May from 11:15 to 15:45.
I am pleased that the Co-Chairs have prepared a programme that again emphasises the importance of participation by States Parties that are in the process of clearing mined areas, destroying stockpiled mines, assisting survivors or implementing other aspects of the Convention. Please note that, in keeping with past practice, the programme does not incorporate a general exchange of views. With now five Standing Committees, it is more important than ever that we get down to work the morning of 21 May, focusing on key aspects of implementation at that time and throughout the week.
I would ask that you register for the May meetings on-line by 14 May 2012. Should you have any questions about the agendas or if you wish to indicate in advance your intention to intervene on particular items, please contact the Implementation Support Unit (isu(at)apminebanconvention.org). In addition, as you proceed to prepare for the May meetings, I wish to kindly remind delegations of the commitments we have made concerning gender and diversity, for example, as found in Actions #19, #29 and #41 of the Cartagena Action Plan. States and international and non-governmental organisations may wish to consider such action points both in terms of the composition of their delegations and in preparing updates to deliver during various meetings.
I look forward to seeing you in May.
Yours sincerely,
Prak Sokhonn
President of the Eleventh Meeting of the States Parties
