26 June 2013

What do we know about funding dedicated to assisting victims of landmine and cluster munitions? How can states exchange knowledge at the regional level to increase their ability to deal with the clearance of landmines and cluster munition remnants in the best possible manner? To answer those questions, experts and government representatives recently gathered in Bangkok (Thailand) for two days of discussion on how to enhance cooperation among states and other stakeholders to better the lives of people in areas affected by landmines, cluster munitions and explosive remnants of war.

Experts from the ICBL-CMC and the Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor participated in the event, alongside ICBL-CMC members Mines Advisory Group, Norwegian People’s Aid, Handicap International and Apopo.The Bangkok Symposium on Enhancing Cooperation and Assistance: Building Synergy towards Effective Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention Implementation, held from 23 to 25 June 2013, explored four areas:

  • the relationship between the Incheon Strategy and the Mine Ban Treaty;
  • the monitoring of funding dedicated to victim assistance;
  • the diversity of regional approaches to cooperation in mine action; and
  • the UN Strategy on Mine Action 2013-2018.

The event hosted by the governments of Thailand and Australia in collaboration with the Implementation Support Unit of the Mine Ban Treaty was marked by the presence of HRH Prince Mired Raad Al-Hussein of Jordan, Special Envoy of the Mine Ban Treaty.

Participants also visited local structures that provide support to persons with disabilities including some landmine survivors: the Sirindhorn National Medical Rehabilitation Centre, as well as Thai Wheels, a wheelchair shop run by persons with disabilities.Delegates at work – see the pictures here!More on the Symposium