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What the Convention says- “Each State Party has the right to seek and receive assistance, where feasible, from other States Parties to the extent possible.”
- “Each State Party in a position to do so shall provide assistance for…”
- mine victims
- mine awareness (i.e., mine risk education) programs
- mine clearance and related activities
- the destruction of stockpiled anti-personnel mines.
- “Each State Party giving and receiving assistance under the provisions of this Article shall cooperate with a view to ensuring the full and prompt implementation of agreed assistance programs.”
Progress made- 25 mine-affected States Parties generated almost US$ 300 million from national sources to address their own mine problems.
- From all major sources, it is possible to account for more than US$ 2.7 billion having been generated since 1997 for activities consistent with the Convention’s aims.
- Global funding levels have remained relatively constant – a remarkable fact given that public awareness of the landmine problem was at its peak in 1997.
Challenges that remain- It is equally important that mine-affected States Parties themselves take ownership over Convention implementation by making national resource commitments.
- Some mine-affected States Parties have accessed World Bank loans and post-conflict grants. More, though, need to be made aware of such mine action resources.
- Assistance and cooperation is about more than just money: It’s also about the efficient and effective use of scarce resources.
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On 20 September 2004 , Dr. Surakiart Sathirathai, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand and President of the Fifth Meeting of the States Parties to the Ottawa Convention, met with Mr. James Wolfensohn, President of the World Bank to discuss cooperation between the World Bank and the mine action community. |
