Director-General's remarks at the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action

Dr. Sommaruga
Ambassador Nellen
Excellencies
Ladies and Gentlemen:

It is a pleasure for me to be with you to mark the second International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action. I greatly appreciate the invitation from the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining to address to you a few opening remarks on this occasion. In the resolution establishing this International Day, the General Assembly stressed the importance of cooperation and coordination in mine action. This seminar is – in my opinion – an illustration of exactly such a cooperation, which engages Governments, the United Nations, foundations and non-governmental organizations. So, allow me first of all, to commend Dr. Sommaruga, Ambassador Nellen and their team for putting together a programme that is – in itself – a practical demonstration of a partnership in mine action.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

This year, we celebrate two anniversaries: it is ten years since the completion of the Anti-Personnel Landmine Convention – the Ottawa Convention – and it is ten years since the United Nations Mine Action Service was established. Since 1997, 153 countries have agreed to be bound by the Ottawa Convention. Around 40 million stockpiled anti-personnel landmines have been destroyed. Production, sale and transfer of anti-personnel landmines have almost stopped. Clearance operations have been stepped up. The adoption of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities – which was signed by 81 countries as it was opened for signature on Friday – will help towards addressing more adequately the needs of victims.
Yet, despite these achievements, nearly 80 countries are still affected by landmines and explosive remnants of war. Almost 15,000 men, women and children become victims of these destructive and deadly devices every year. In communities already shattered by violent conflict, the presence of mine and explosive remnants of war prevent children from going to school. They bar farmers from their lands. They impede access to markets for produce and goods. When the conflict has stopped, the mines and explosive remnants of war leave people – already impoverished and vulnerable as a result of war – unable to rebuild their lives.

The focus of this seminar on “Mine Action to Support Peacebuilding” is a useful reminder that mine action is one of the preconditions for long-term economic and social reconstruction of post-conflict societies. In this respect, the United Nations Mine Action Service – together with the 14 United Nations entities that it coordinates – have made a critical contribution to broadening the scope of mine action beyond mine clearance, and to incorporate mine action into development policies and practices.

At the intergovernmental level, the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission is tasked with formulating coherent, consistent and comprehensive post-conflict peacebuilding strategies. Mine action should be included as an essential dimension in such strategies. The multi-dimensional impact of the mine action, the strong focus on assistance to victims and the potential for building confidence among former warring parties is particularly relevant in the peacebuilding context. The Commission’s initial discussions of the two countries referred to it – Sierra Leone and Burundi – have touched upon this central aspect of the peacebuilding process. I look forward to hearing more about the particular challenges in the case of Burundi in the presentation later by Ambassador Mahwera.

As Dr. Sommaruga noted in his introduction, “International Geneva” possesses wide-ranging expertise in post-conflict peacebuilding. The rich presence here of United Nations entities, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, research and academic institutions – many of them with direct experience “on the ground” – is an important asset, with significant potential for feeding into the deliberations of the Peacebuilding Commission. Today’s seminar, which has been inspired by several initiatives to pool Geneva’s peacebuilding know-how, is a further manifestation of this. Allow me in this connection to acknowledge the valuable efforts of the Geneva Centre for Security Policy and the Quaker United Nations Office – both associated with this seminar – in bringing together stakeholders and driving the process forward. And, of course, the project led by the United Nations Office at Geneva, which is called “Our Common Peacebuilding Challenge: the Contribution of International Geneva”. Together, these projects will provide critical intellectual and practical input to the Peacebuilding Commission, drawing on the extensive knowledge of “International Geneva” – including on mine action.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

As I said earlier, this International Day is not only an occasion to reflect on what has been accomplished. Importantly, it is an opportunity to consider the challenges ahead – and they are many and grave indeed.

Recent conflicts have impressed upon the world – with chilling detail – the horrific humanitarian consequences of the use of cluster munitions on civilian populations – both during and after conflict. The disastrous impact of cluster munitions is now the focus of attention of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons – the CCW – and its Group of Governmental Experts that will meet in June 2007 here in Geneva. In parallel, a new agreement banning cluster munitions that cause unacceptable harm to civilians was envisaged in the Oslo Declaration, signed on 23 February of this year. The Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, has welcomed the Oslo Process as a supplement to the intense efforts underway in the framework of the CCW. In particular, he has underlined that both processes share the same humanitarian objective and should be seen as complementary and mutually reinforcing.

The new Protocol V to the CCW should further bolster our work aimed at minimizing the risks and effects of explosive remnants of war. In November of this year, the [32] States parties to Protocol V will meet for the first time – also here in Geneva – to consider how best to confront the dangers of all explosive remnants of war. This meeting represents an important opportunity to further strengthen mine action and establish, within the strong institutional support of the United Nations, an efficient implementation mechanism of partnership and cooperation of all humanitarian actors – Governments, the United Nations, all relevant international organizations and civil society.

Implementation of the provisions of the Ottawa Treaty also remains a key task. Ongoing efforts of mine-affected countries in clearing known minefields and areas suspected of containing mines, as required by the Treaty, must be welcomed. It is incumbent upon the entire international community to assist them in their continued efforts to fulfil their obligations.

In addition, mobilizing sustainable, multi-year funding is a continuous challenge for all those involved in mine action.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Among the objectives of the United Nations Inter-Agency Mine Action Strategy 2006-2010 is the reduction of death and injury by mines and explosive remnants of war by at least 50%.

Signature and ratification of the instruments that make up the legal framework for mine action are a necessary first step in this process. I should therefore like to encourage States to accede, as soon as possible, to all relevant treaties, and to honour their obligations under these instruments, including providing assistance, where possible, to affected States and victims.

Ultimately, the goal of the United Nations is a world free of landmines and explosive remnants of war. Geneva – as a centre of humanitarian action and of disarmament efforts, and as a platform for efficient and meaningful interaction among all stakeholders – has a vital role to play in making this vision become reality. It is a vision we share; let us work together to achieve it.

Thank you very much.