2017 Intersessional Meetings

8-9 June 2017, Geneva, Switzerland

 Group Photo At Brokenchair

Delegates from over 70 states, including the Mayor of Geneva, representatives of the UN agencies, the ICRC, the ICBL, HI and other organizations came together at the Broken Chair, 20 years after Mine Ban Treaty adoption, a gesture of commitment of the international community for a Mine-Free World by 2025. 8 June 2017 ©Mary Wareham/ICBL

The Mine Ban Treaty’s intersessional meetings took place on 8-9 June 2017 at the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) in Geneva, Switzerland.

The intersessional meetings provided an opportunity for states to report on the recent progress they have made to implement the Mine Ban Treaty and the Maputo Action Plan (MAP). The meetings also provided a platform for informal discussion on challenges, plans and requirements for assistance and cooperation to achieve the objectives of the treaty.

The meeting was open to States Parties, states not party, relevant international organizations and non-governmental organizations. Government representatives from 78 countries participated in the meeting.

Every year the ICBL actively participates in these meetings by delivering expert statements, making the voice of mine survivors heard, organizing side events and providing information online and to the media on progress being made towards a mine-free world.

Statements delivered by the ICBL:

Highlights of the meeting:

  • Algeria announced completion of mine clearance, meeting its obligation under the Article 5 of the Mine Ban Treaty.
  • Belarus declared completion of stockpile destruction, meeting its obligation under the Article 3 of the Mine Ban Treaty.
  • Angola, Ecuador, Iraq, Thailand and Zimbabwe requested extension for mine clearance. However, Ukraine, the country that has been in violation of Article 5 of the Mine Ban Treaty for over a year, did not submit extension request. States Parties, the Article 5 Committee of the treaty and ICBL urged Ukraine to submit extension request.
  • The issue of improvised mines was a recurrent topic during the two days – ICBL members and others reiterated that IEDs activated by persons are in fact antipersonnel mines covered by Mine Ban Treaty’s Article 5.
  • Donors expressed their wish to coordinate their efforts more closely.
  • Austria, the President of the Mine Ban Treaty presented plans for preparations and organization of the 16th Meeting of States Parties (16MSP), to be held from 18 to 21 December in Vienna.

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ICBL campaign meeting, Mine Ban Treaty Intersessional Meetings, Geneva, 8 June 2017 ©ICBL

Click on the following links to download documents related to intersessional meetings:

Additional information can be found on the Mine Ban Treaty's website, click here.

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In run-up to the Intersessional Meetings:

The Second International Pledging Conference

His Excellency Ambassador Thomas Hajnoczi, Ambassador of Austria to the United Nations in Geneva and President of the 16th Meeting of States Parties convened the Second International Pledging Conference for the Implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty on 28 February at the UN office in Geneva.

ICBL staff members, Ms. Amelie Chayer and Mr. Firoz Alizada spoke on current implementation challenges and status of funding for mine action.

ICBL and its members Handicap International (HI) and Mines Advisory Group (MAG) urged all States Parties to provide sufficient funding to meet treaty commitments and obligations by the year 2025.

Pledging Conf

© ICBL, 28 February 2017

Report of the Conference can be found on the Mine Ban Treaty's website.

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To read about the last meeting of the Mine Ban Treaty which took place in Santiago, Chile in December 2016, click here.

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