UN - Secretary-General, in Message to States Parties to Mine Ban Treaty, Calls for Destruction of Landmine Stockpiles, Support for Victims, Families

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message to the Eleventh Meeting of the States Parties to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction, delivered by Helen Clark, Administrator, UN Development Programme (UNDP), in Phnom Penh, 28 November:

I am pleased to greet the 158 States Parties and all the participants in this meeting on the Mine Ban Convention.

It is especially notable that you gather in Cambodia — a country that for years has symbolized both the human tragedy associated with anti-personnel landmines, but also the hope that, with our common efforts, we can build a safer world, free of these horrendous weapons.

It is intolerable that new anti-personnel mines are being laid, even today, in a number of countries — new uses of weapons that should already belong to history.

This Convention and its implementation are good examples of an effective partnership between States, the United Nations and civil society to end human suffering. I commend your determination to achieve a mine-free world, including through the progress that has been made in implementing the Cartagena Action Plan adopted at the Second Review Conference in 2009.

Against this background, I urge those States that have not yet done so, to complete the destruction of stockpiled anti-personnel mines. I urge the mine-affected States to clear mined areas within the agreed deadlines, ensure effective risk education programmes and provide support to victims and their families. And I urge those States that are in a position to do so, to renew their commitments to provide assistance, including for victims.

I also renew my call on those States that have not yet done so, to accede to the Mine Ban Convention as soon as possible. I commend South Sudan and Tuvalu for acceding to the Convention this year.

The United Nations will continue to support your work and the goal of a mine-free world. Please accept my best wishes for a productive meeting.

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