The opening of the Fourth Meeting of the States Parties was preceded by a ceremony that featured addresses by the President of the Swiss Confederation, Kaspar Villiger, and Her Highness, Princess Astrid of Belgium. This ceremony also illustrated, through an interpretative dance piece performed by Nomads, the daily terror of landmines faced by thousands throughout the world. In addition testimonies were provided by landmine survivors.
• Statement by President of the Swiss Confederation, Kaspar Villiger French PDF 68KB


The Fourth Meeting was officially opened by Vice-President of the Republic of Nicaragua, Mr. Jose Rizo, on behalf of the Nicaraguan Presidency of the Third Meeting of the States Parties.
• Statement by Vice-President Rizo of the Republic of Nicaragua Spanish PDF 60KB

Ambassador Jean Lint of Belgium was acclaimed as President of the Fourth Meeting.
• Statement by Ambassador Lint of Belgium French PDF 102KB
• Biography of Ambassador Jean Lint PDF 58KB | French PDF 58KB

Messages were delivered by or on behalf of the United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan, Nobel Peace Prize Co-Laureate, Jody Williams of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, and the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Jakob Kellenberger
• Message delivered by Jody Williams of the ICBL PDF 70KB
• Message delivered by Jean de Courten of the ICRC English PDF 67KB | French PDF 76KB

States Parties acclaimed as Vice-Presidents of the Fourth Meeting the eight countries which since the Third Meeting have served as Co-Chairs of the four Standing Committees established by the States Parties: Australia, Canada, Croatia, Germany, Honduras, Norway, Thailand and Yemen.

States Parties confirmed the appointment of Ambassador Christian Faessler of Switzerland as Secretary General of the Fourth Meeting. In addition, the appointment by the United Nations Secretary General of Mr. Enrique Roman-Morey (Director of the United Nations Department for Disarmament Affairs Branch in Geneva) as Executive Secretary of the Fourth Meeting, and the appointment by the President of Mr. Kerry Brinkert (Manager of the Implementation Support Unit) as the President’s Executive Coordinator were noted.

States Parties adopted an agenda, programme, rules of procedure and cost estimates for the Fourth Meeting
• Fourth Meeting Procedural Documents

The following States Parties made statements during the General Exchange of Views:
• Mozambique
• Norway PDF 75KB
• Thailand PDF 71KB