Opening of the 20th International Meeting of National Mine Action Programme Directors and United Nations Advisers (NDM-UN)

Ms. Marcailloux [Director, UNMAS],
Excellencies,
Dear Colleagues,
Ladies and gentlemen:

A warm welcome to the Palais des Nations and happy birthday as we mark the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention and of the United Nations Mine Action Service. Let me take the opportunity to thank the organizers of this important meeting.

Over the last twenty years, mine action has achieved a great deal: saving lives, supporting peacebuilding efforts and enabling development and reconstruction after conflict.

I have always had the deepest respect for those looking for and dismantling landmines and other explosive ordnances to save others while putting their own lives at risk. During my time as Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Cyprus, I saw this important work first hand, and it continues to this day, even as the hope for a peaceful settlement in Cyprus is rising in view of the recent positive developments here in Geneva. This shows just how long explosive remnants of war continue to affect societies and there are many other examples around the world.

When explosive devices are put in place, cold-hearted calculation replaces concern for “people” and “humanity”. This is why I welcome the theme of the 20th International Meeting of National Mine Action Programme Directors and United Nations Advisers: “needs driven and people centred”. By putting people and their needs back at the centre of our action, we do not only reduce the threat of explosive devices but we also address the psychological root causes that led to their use in the first place. And I therefore encourage you to constantly ask yourselves: how does my programme enhance the safety of the most vulnerable? What does my programme do for survivors of landmines and other explosive remnants of war? What is my impact? And how can we do better and team up with local actors and communities?

Over the last twenty years, UNMAS and its partners have embraced the constantly evolving context in which you work with an innovative spirit, with the aim to serve and protect civilians and to invest in humanity. I, and all of us, commend UNMAS for two decades of dedication to its life-saving work.


But now is not the time to be complacent. Casualties are on the increase as conflict rages; civilians are deliberately targeted and urban areas are contaminated with all sorts of explosives. In too many places do these trends hinder sustainable development and the achievement of peace, rights and wellbeing for all.

This meeting here in Geneva provides a unique international platform to deliver change. It brings together a wide range of stakeholders – national experts, Member States and practitioners – to share best practices, discuss emerging trends, assess current needs and devise solutions and horizontal partnerships. As the host of meetings of States Parties’ to Treaties such as the Ottawa Convention, the Convention on Cluster Munitions, the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities as well as through its unparalleled operational expertise in the development sector, Geneva has developed an ecosystem that is extremely conducive to finding practical solutions for mine action. With the wide range of expertise in this room today, I have no doubt that your discussions over the next days will be guided by this spirit. You have what it takes to innovate, collaborate and implement solutions that save countless lives.

I salute all of you for the important work over the past 20 years and for the work that you are going to do in the future, and wish you success in this important conference.

Thank you very much.