TWENTIETH MEETING
OF THE STATES PARTIESGENEVA, 21-25 NOVEMBER 2022

Ending the suffering and casualties
caused by anti-personnel mines

The Twentieth Meeting of the States Parties (20MSP) is the formal, diplomatic meeting of
the 164 States that have accepted to be bound by the Convention on the Prohibition of
the Use, Production, Stockpiling and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their
Destruction. The 20MSP takes place mid-point of the implementation of the Oslo Action
Plan under the presidency of Colombia, and on the year when the Conventioncommemorates 25 years since its adoption and signing.
Over 80% of the world’s States – including most that at one time used, stockpiled,produced, or transferred anti-personnel mines, and are or have been affected by antipersonnel mines – are now bound by the Convention. The vast majority of States notparty abide by the global norm established by this humanitarian disarmament
instrument. An important number of these States are attending the 20MSP as Observers.

Pursuing the purpose of the Convention
The Convention seeks “to put an end to the suffering and casualties caused by antipersonnel mines” through the pursuit of four core aims: universal acceptance of a ban on
anti-personnel mines; destruction of stockpiled anti-personnel mines; clearance of minedareas; and assistance to mine victims. To achieve these aims, it is essential to facilitate
compliance, cooperation and assistance, transparency and the exchange of information,and implementation support.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
2

1 WEEK AT A GLANCEPROGRAMME OF THE TWENTIETH MEETING

2 OF THE STATES PARTIES (20MSP)

4

3 VA EXPERTS MEETING, SIDE EVENTS, EXHIBITS

94 FACTS AND FIGURES OF THE CONVENTION

13

5 IMPORTANT DATES | 2023

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Week at-a-Glance

MONDAY 21

TUESDAY 22

09:00-09:55

09:00-09:55

Youth Action for
Universalization &Completion

Survivor voices: thehuman impact of the
Ottawa Convention

Host: Mines Action Canada
Room: XXI

Host: ICBL-CMC
Room: At ICBL exhibit site

10:00-13:00

10:00-13:00

10:00-12:00
1.

Official Opening

2.

Ceremonial opening

3.

Agenda adoption

4.

Election of VicePresidents and others

5.

Confirmation of theSecretary-General

6.

Organisation of work

9.

Requests under
Article 5 andanalysis of theserequests (continued)a)mine risk education
and reduction

13:00-15:00

Cooperation forCompletion of the
Humanitarian
demining process in
Ecuador and Peru

By invitation
10:00-13:00
Room: XXISouth Sudan:
Individualised
Approach Event

10:00-13:00
8. General exchange(continued)
10. General status andoperationh) Implementation Supporti.

ISU report

ii. Other matters(Committees)

11. Status of assessed

contributions

13:00-15:00
Critically inclusive
humanitarian mine
action in Cauca,
Colombia

Hosts: South Sudan NMAA
and Committee on the
Host: Humanity & Inclusion
Arabic, English, French, and Host: Permanent Missions
Enhancement of
Room: XXI
Spanish)of Ecuador and Peru
Cooperation and Assistance (Interpretation to/from Spanish)
Host: European Union
Room: XXI
Room: XXI

Room: XVIII

Room: XVIII

15:00-18:00

15:00-18:00

10. General status and

10. General status and16:00-18:00a) Assisting the victims(continued)b) Clearing mined

operation

operationareas, mine risk
education, reduction

and analysis of theserequests(continued)c)

Cooperation
and assistance

18:30

Investing in Action:national ownership andcapacity building in mine
actionTaking Stock: The roadto and from the MBT
Host: Norway and NPA
Room: XVIII

Host: ICBL-CMC
Room: XVIII

15:00-17:00
10. General status andoperatione) Destroying stockpiled

AP minesf) Universalizationg) Transparency &15:00-18:00
12. Consideration of Art5

requests (continued)

13. Matters arising Art7
14. Consideration of Art8

requests

15. Election of the 21MSP &5RC Presidents
exchange of information
16. Matters pertaining to the
17:00-18:00
21MSP & 5RC

Special Session: 25 years of
17. Any other business
the Convention

18:30

Opening Reception

18. Final document

consideration, adoption

25 years of the Convention, 19. Closure
Jet d’eau Illumination andLaunch of VA Global
Conference in Cambodia

Hosts: Colombia,
Switzerland, and City
and Canton of Geneva

Host: European Union
Location: La Potinière

Location: ICRC

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13:00-15:00

13:00-15:00

General Exchange of
Views

9. Requests under Article5

operation(Interpretation to/from Arabic,
English, French, and Spanish)Landmine Monitor
2022 Delegates
Briefing

8.

10. General status and(Interpretation to/from Arabic,
English, French, and Spanish)

Remote Imaging andEquality of Opportunity: Artificial Intelligence in
Women Empowerment Mine Action: When isin Mine Action
Good, Good Enough?
Host: HALO Trust
Host: ICRC

15:00-16:00

10:00-13:00

VA Experts Meeting

Room: XXI

Room: XVIII

Host: ANAMA, Azerbaijan
Room: XXI

VA Experts Meeting

By invitation
10:00-13:00 | 15:00-18:00
Room: XXIFRIDAY 25

09:00-09:55
Humanitarian Demining
partnerships and integrated
solutionsprohibited activities,
facilitating compliance

Room: XXI

Host: ICBL-CMC

THURSDAY 24b) Clearing mined areas, c) Cooperation andassistance (continued)

Assisting the victims

How useful was the sector- Briefing: Exploring New
wide theory of change for Grounds –mine action? Findings from Implementing the EU
our piloting – the pros, the Council Decisioncons, and the next steps(Interpretation to/from
Host: The Netherlands(MFA) and the United
Kingdom (FCDO)

operation

operation

Panel: Deciphering thenumbers: Status of
Implementation

13:00-15:00

10. General status and

10. General status and12:00 – 13:00
7.

WEDNESDAY 23#MineBan25#MineFreeWorld

Convention community snapshots
The Twentieth Meeting of the States Parties will be the first in-person formal meeting since the Oslo Review
Conference. In 2021, due to extraordinary restrictions, the Nineteenth Meeting of the States Parties (19MSP)
had to be held in full remote mode. The 19MSP was successfully carried out thanks to an agile, devoted teamfrom the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands. Bedankt Nederland!
Check out the video greeting here: https://twitter.com/i/status/1461775133010448397

On
3-4
DecembertheConventioncommemorates 25 years of its signing; date
which coincides with the celebration of theInternational Day of Persons with Disabilities.
The Convention was the first instrument totake into consideration assistance to survivorsand victims of the weapon in question (now astandard). Being that many survivors acquire adisability as a result of accidents caused byanti-personnel mines, it is widely agreed that
their rights must be guaranteed, and needs
met as part of efforts carried out in wider
domains and related to the rights of persons
with disabilities.
On this date, and always, let’s honour thehuman spirit that brought about thisdisarmament
landmark
humanitarian

instrument, and the diversity and resilienceof those whose lives have been affected bylandmines.

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Programme
theTwentieth
Twentieth
MeetingofStatethe States
Programme ofofthe
Meetingof theParties Parties

MONDAY 21 NOVEMBER, 10:00 – 13:00
1

Official opening
The meeting will be opened by the President of the Twentieth Meeting of the States Parties (20MSP), H.E. Alvaro
Enrique Ayala Melendez, Ambassador and Chargé d'Affaires of the Permanent Mission of Colombia to the United
Nations in Geneva.

2

Ceremonial opening
A ceremonial opening will feature brief messages including from high level representatives from the Governmentof Colombia, the United Nations, the Convention’s Special Envoy, the International Committee for the Red Cross,the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, Representatives of Mine Victims and Survivors and the Geneva
International Centre for Humanitarian Demining.

3

Adoption of the Agenda
The Meeting will be asked to adopt its agenda as contained in document APLC/MSP.20/2022/1, which waspresented to delegations at the 20-22 June 2022 Intersessional Meetings.

4

Election of the Vice-Presidents of the Meeting
The Meeting will be asked to elect the eight outgoing members of the Committees as Vice-Presidents of the
20MSP: Algeria, Belgium, Chile, Ecuador, Japan, Spain, Sri Lanka, and Sudan.

5

Confirmation of the Secretary-General
The Meeting will be asked to confirm, as Secretary-General of the 20MSP,
Ambassador Felix Baumann of Switzerland. Ambassador Felix Baumann will be
invited to offer remarks as host country and Secretary-General of the 20MSP.

6Organisation of work
The meeting will be asked to adopt its programme as contained in document APLC/MSP.20/2022/2 , which waspresented to delegations on 20-22 June 2022 Intersessional Meetings.

7

Thematic Panel: Deciphering the numbers: Status of Implementation

President

Belgium, Article 5

Algeria, VA

Japan, C&A

Colombia, Compliance France, Gender

The Oslo Action Plan (OAP) is the Convention’s first five-year roadmap to contain indicators
intended to measure progress in implementation of the Convention through 50 Actions. The
President, Committees, and Implementation Support Unit have been tasked with tracking
progress and challenges in OAP implementation. A baseline was established in 2020; progressagainst it is measure annually. Documents APLC/MSP.20/2022/12 and APLC/MSP.20/2022/13(scan QR code), contain indicators submitted to the 20MSP.
With 2022 marking the halfway point of OAP implementation, the President, Committee Chairs, and gender focal
point will report on progress, highlight strengths and weaknesses in implementation, and areas for prioritization
until the Fifth Review Conference in 2024. States and organisations will be invited to take the floor.

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Programme of the Twentieth Meeting of the States Parties

MONDAY 21 NOVEMBER, 15:00 – 16:00
8

General exchange of views1
Delegations will be given the opportunity to deliver brief general statements not to exceed four (4) minutes.
Interested delegations should contact the Implementation Support Unit, isu(at)apminebanconvention.org to be
inscribed in the speakers’ list.
Given the volume of work that must be dealt with at the Twentieth Meeting, States Parties and Observers areencouraged to refrain from making general statements but rather provide updates on implementation on thematic
matters indicated in agenda item 10. For those delegations that do not wish to deliver oral statements, written
statements can be distributed and made available on the Convention’s website.

MONDAY 21 NOVEMBER, 16:00 – 18:00
9

Presentation of requests submitted under Article 5 and of the analysis of these requests
The meeting will consider requests for extensions ofmine clearance deadlines that have been or are due tobe submitted by Afghanistan, Argentina, Ecuador,
Eritrea, Guinea-Bissau, Serbia, Sudan, Thailand, andYemen.
In keeping with past practice, there will be an
opportunity for presentations and discussions of theextension requests. States Parties are to return toformal consideration of these requests later in the
week.

TUESDAY 22 NOVEMBER, 10:00 – 13:00
9

Presentation of requests submitted under Article 5 and of the analysis of these requests (continued)

10

Consideration of the general status and operation of the Conventiona) Assisting the victims: Conclusions andrecommendations related to the mandateof the Committee on Victim AssistanceStatesParties
implementing
victimassistance activities 1 will be invited toprovide brief updates (4-5 minutes) on theirefforts to fulfil Actions 33 through 41 of theOslo Action Plan.

1 The following States Parties have reported carrying out victim assistance activities: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Bosnia and Herzegovina,

Burundi, Cambodia, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, Iraq, Jordan,
Mozambique, Nicaragua, Palestine (State of), Peru, Senegal, Serbia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda,
Ukraine, Yemen, and Zimbabwe.

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Programme of the Twentieth Meeting of the States Parties
In addition, these States Parties will be invited to comment on the conclusions of the Committee on Victim
Assistance. Other delegations may remark on these updates and share their views on victim assistance. States
Parties are encouraged to inform on their efforts to mainstream gender and the diverse needs and experiences ofpeople in affected communities.

TUESDAY 22 NOVEMBER, 15:00 – 18:00
10 Consideration of the general status and operation of the Conventiona) Assisting the victims: Conclusions and recommendations (continued)

TUESDAY 22 NOVEMBER, 18:00
Opening reception hosted by the Permanent Representatives of
Switzerland and Colombia to the Conference on Disarmament,
the Council of State of the Republic and Canton of Geneva, and
the Administrative Council of the City of Geneva.
The reception will be held at the International Committee of the Red Cross (more details to follow).

WEDNESDAY 23 NOVEMBER, 10:00 – 13:00
10 Consideration of the general status and operation of the Conventionb) Clearing mined areas and mine risk education and reduction: Conclusions and recommendations related
to the mandate of the Committee on Article 5 Implementation
States Parties which have recently completed or are still in the process of clearing mined areas 2 will be invited
to provide brief updates (4-5 minutes) on their efforts to fulfil their obligations including Actions 18 through 32of the Oslo Action Plan. In addition, these States Parties will be invited to comment on the conclusions of theCommittee on Article 5 Implementation. Other delegations may remark on these updates and share their viewson Article 5 implementation.
States Parties are encouraged to inform on their efforts to mainstream gender and the diverse needs andexperiences of people in affected communities.

WEDNESDAY 23 NOVEMBER, 15:00 – 18:00
10 Consideration of the general status and operation of the Conventionb) Clearing mined areas and mine risk education and reduction (continued)

2 The following 33 States Parties are still in the process of clearing mined areas in accordance with Article 5: Afghanistan, Angola, Argentina, Bosnia andHerzegovina, Cambodia, Chad, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, Iraq, Mauritania,
Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Palestine (State of), Peru, Senegal, Serbia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, Yemen and
Zimbabwe.

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Programme of the Twentieth Meeting of the States Partiesc) Cooperation and Assistance: Conclusions and recommendations related to the mandate of the Committee on
the Enhancement of Cooperation and Assistance
The Committee on the Enhancement of Cooperation and Assistance will present its conclusions andrecommendations. In particular, the Committee will present its efforts to strengthen cooperation and assistanceand implementation of Actions 42 to 47, the individualised approach, and on improving communication
amongst States Parties.
Delegations will be given the opportunity to provide updates and share their views including on the conclusionsof the Committee. States Parties are encouraged to inform on their efforts to mainstream gender and thediverse needs and experiences of people in affected communities.

THURSDAY 24 NOVEMBER, 10:00 – 13:00
10 Consideration of the general status and operation of the Conventionc) Cooperation and Assistance: Conclusions and recommendations related to the mandate of theCommittee on the Enhancement of Cooperation and Assistance (continued)d) Preventing and suppressing prohibited activities and facilitating compliance: Conclusions andrecommendations related to the mandate of the Committee on Cooperative Compliance
The Committee on Cooperative Compliance will present its conclusions and recommendations. States Parties
which have been mentioned in the conclusions of the Committee on Cooperative Compliance 3 may wish toprovide an update on ongoing investigations or activities undertaken to ensure compliance in accordance with
Actions 48 to 50. In addition, these States Parties are invited to comment on the conclusions of the Committee.
Other delegations may remark on these updates and share their views on compliance issues.

THURSDAY 24 NOVEMBER, 15:00 – 17:00e) Destroying stockpiled anti-personnel mines
The President will present conclusions and recommendations on stockpile destruction. States Parties
responsible for destroying stockpiled anti-personnel mines 4 as well as States Parties that have discovered
previously unknown stockpiles are invited to provide brief updates on their efforts to fulfil their destruction
obligations. These updates should contain only new information with efforts made to avoid duplication withrespect to updates provided at the Intersessional Meetings. Other delegations will be given the opportunity toremark on these updates and share their views.
f) Universalizing the Convention
The President will provide an overview on
the status of universalization. States notparty to the Convention are invited toshare their views on the Convention andprovide updates on steps being taken or
considered to accede to the Convention.
Other delegations will be given theopportunity to provide updates on theirefforts to encourage universal acceptanceof the Convention and share their views.
(Clockwise) The Special Envoy and then-Convention President Ambassador Alicia
Arango of Colombia met with Aambassadors of Viet Nam, Lao PDR, Azerbaijan,
Marshall Islands, and Armenia in April in New York.
3 Sudan and Yemen.
4 Greece, Ukraine

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Programme of the Twentieth Meeting of the States Partiesg) Transparency and the exchange of information
The President will give an overview of the status of transparency. Delegations may provide updates and shareviews on transparency and the exchange of information, including transparency as concerns mines retained for
permitted purposes.

THURSDAY 24 NOVEMBER, 17:00 – 18:00
Commemoration of the 25th Anniversary of the Adoption and Signing of the Convention
Twenty-five (25) years have passed since the international community began the historic effort to create aninternational legally binding instrument banning anti-personnel mines. This effort culminated with the adoption andsigning of the landmark Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of AntiPersonnel Mines and on Their Destruction initially adopted by 122 countries. Since then, 84% of the world’s States, or
164, have undertaken to fulfil the ambition of a mine-free world and ending the suffering and casualties caused by antipersonnel mines, for all people for all time.
This special session will spotlight the 25-year anniversary of the signing of the Convention and the landmark processthat led to its adoption. It is an opportunity to reflect on the three decades of the anti-landmine movement – born of theunderstanding that anti-personnel mines are weapons that cannot differentiate war from peacetime, nor will sparemaiming or killing a child innocently playing decades after a conflict has ended. This commemoration is also amomentous occasion to ask ourselves – as a community – what should be done to address emerging challenges.

THURSDAY 24 NOVEMBER, 18:30
Reception: Commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the adoption and signing of theConvention; launch of Third Global Conference on Victim Assistance
The iconic Jet d’eau (pressured water fountain) in Geneva will be illuminated inConvention colours to commemorate the 25 years of the adoption and signing of thislandmark humanitarian instrument. Delegates are invited to the Jardin Anglais, in thecity centre for a symbolic reception which will also serve as the occasion to launch theroad to the Third Global Conference on Victim Assistance to take place in October
2023, in Cambodia.
A bus from the Geneva public transportation system will be available to take 50
delegates. The reception and launch will take place at La Potinière, Promenade du Lac
2, 1204 Genève. More details to come.

In September, the President held a special session to remember the process that led to the adoption of the Convention in Oslo,and discuss the challenges the Convention faces.
(Clockwise) Norway, ICBL, ICRC, Germany, Paralympian skier, and ICBL Ambassador.

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Programme of the Twentieth Meeting of the States Parties

FRIDAY 25 NOVEMBER, 10:00 – 13:00
8

General exchange of views (continued)

10 Consideration of the general status and operation of the Conventionh) Implementation Support
i. Report on the activities, functioning and finances of the ISU and presentation of a work plan and abudget for the 2023 activities of the ISU 5
In adopting a work plan for the ISU, the Fourth Review Conference called for it to be subject to a mid-term review
to be presented to the Twentieth Meeting of the States Parties. The President will therefore present the mid-term
review of the five-year work plan developed in coordination with the ISU and the Coordinating Committee.
Further to the “Directive from the States Parties to the ISU” adopted by the 10MSP and further to decisions of the
14MSP on strengthening financial governance and transparency, the ISU is to propose and present every year to
the Coordinating Committee for endorsement, and subsequently to the Meeting of the States Parties for approval,
a detailed yearly budget and work plan for the ensuing year within the range and limits of the applicable multiyear work plan, both in terms of expenditures related to core support and expenditures related to enhanced
support contained therein.
The Director of the ISU will present the work plan and the budget for the activities of the ISU in 2023, and theMeeting will be asked to approve these documents. The Director of the ISU will report on the activities,functioning and finances of the ISU, present the 2021 ISU audit report and preliminary financial report for 2022.
The Meeting will be asked to approve the report on the activities and finances of the ISU and the 2021 audited
financial statement. Delegations will be given the opportunity to provide comments and/or share their views.
ii. Other matters concerning implementation support
The Meeting will be asked to agree on the dates of the 2023 Intersessional Meetings.
In keeping with its mandate, in 2022 the 20MSP President undertook the task of consulting with States Parties to
identify a list of nominees to serve as new Committee members following the 20MSP. On 29 April 2022, thePresident wrote to all States Parties to indicate that it was seeking two new States Parties for each of the fourCommittees for two-year terms. On the basis of interest expressed, the President has developed a proposal listingof States Parties to serve as new Committee members from the end of the 20MSP for a two-year term.
If this proposal is agreed to by the 20MSP, the following eight new States Parties would start their two-yearmembership term at the end of the 20MSP:

Committee on Article 5 Implementation:o (new members) Colombia and Sweden, to join France and Iraq



Committee on Cooperative Compliance:o (new members) Norway and South Africa, to join Switzerland and Turkey

Committee on the Enhancement of Cooperation and Assistance:o (new members) Algeria and Japan, to join the Netherlands and ThailandCommittee on Victim Assistance:o (new members) Slovenia and Zambia, to join Italy and Uganda

The ISU is tasked to report in written form as well as orally on the activities, functioning and finances of the ISU to each
Meeting of the States Parties and to submit an audited annual financial report for the previous year and a preliminary financial
report for the present year to the Coordinating Committee and subsequently to the Meeting of the States Parties forapproval.

5

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Programme of the Twentieth Meeting of the States Parties
11 Status of assessed contributions received pursuant to Article 14 of the Convention 6
The status of assessed contributions to the Meetings of the States Parties will be presented and delegations will begiven the opportunity to provide comments and views on the assessed contributions. The 19MSP requested thePresident of the 20MSP to continue to consult on matters related to financial predictability and sustainability ofUnited Nations assessed contributions with a view of submitting a proposal for adoption at the 20MSP.
Following consultations on a draft proposal and a request for input sent to all States Parties on 12 July 2022, thePresident will present the proposed decision on the financial predictability and sustainability of United Nations’assessed contribution for adoption by the 20MSP.

FRIDAY 25 NOVEMBER, 15:00 – 18:00
12

Consideration of requests submitted under Article 5
The Meeting will be asked to take decisions on the request for extended mine clearance deadlines which will
have been or may be submitted by Afghanistan, Argentina, Ecuador, Eritrea, Guinea-Bissau, Serbia,
Sudan, Thailand, and Yemen. ( Documents here) .

13

Consideration of matters arising from/in the context of reports submitted under Article 7

14Consideration of requests submitted under Article 8

15Election of the President of the Twenty-First Meeting of the States Parties and of theFifth Review Conference
The Meeting will be asked to agree that the Permanent Representative to theConference on Disarmament of Germany to the United Nations in Geneva
H.E. Thomas Göbel be elected to preside over the Twenty-First Meeting of theStates Parties (21MSP).

16

Duration and matters pertaining to the preparation for the 21MSP and Fifth Review
Conference
The Nineteenth Meeting of the States Parties agreed that the 21MSP would takeplace in Geneva, Switzerland the week of 20-24 November 2023.

17

Any other business
Delegations will be given the opportunity to take the floor on matters nototherwise covered.

18

Consideration and adoption of the final document
The Meeting will be asked to consider and adopt its final report.

19

Closure of the Twentieth Meeting of the States Parties

A decision was taken at the Fourth Review Conference to continue to include in the agenda of the annual Meetings of the States
Parties an agenda item on the “Status of assessed contributions received pursuant to Article 14 of the Convention.”6

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VICTIM ASSISTANCE EXPERTS MEETING, SIDE EVENTS, AND EXHIBITSEvents33 SideWEDNESDAY 23 NOVEMBER
THURSDAY 24 NOVEMBER

10:00 – 13:00 | 15:00 – 18:00
10:00 – 13:00

Victim Assistance Experts Meeting
ROOM: XXI
HOST: Committee on Victim Assistance

The Committee on Victim Assistance, Algeria (Chair), Ecuador, Italy, and Uganda with support of the
Implementation Support Unit will host a Victim Assistance Experts Meeting (VAEM) on rehabilitation.
Rehabilitation is one of the six key pillars of victim assistance in the framework of the Convention and key
commitment (Action 38) of the Oslo Action Plan, which calls to “take steps to ensure that, taking into accountlocal, national and regional circumstances, all mine victims, including in rural and remote areas, have access tocomprehensive rehabilitation services and psychological and psychosocial support services, including throughthe provision of outreach rehabilitation service, where necessary, while paying particular attention to the mostvulnerable. This includes the provision of assistive devices, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and peer-topeer support programs.”
The objective of the 2022 VA Experts Meeting is to enhance understandings on rehabilitation, and thechallenges, gaps and shortcomings faced in delivering quality rehabilitation services in an efficient, affordable,
and sustainable manner.
The meeting will build on the “Thematic Panel and Discussion: Fostering Cooperation for Rehabilitation” hosted
by the VA Committee during the 2022 Intersessional Meetings. Sessions include Community Based
Rehabilitation (CBR), national capacity and ownership in rehabilitation, among other topics. National VA experts
will join peers working in international and non-governmental organisations.
Contact: f.alizada(at)apminebanconvention.org

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VICTIM ASSISTANCE EXPERTS MEETING, SIDE EVENTS, AND EXHIBITSEvents33 SideMonday 21 November to Thursday 24 November
Exhibitions
MINE FREE WORLD HUB
HOST: ICBL
The exhibit is a timeline documenting the past three decades and the partnership between civil society,
Governments, ICRC, and UN organisations towards the creation of the Mine Ban Treaty, and its
universalization/implementation. Throughout the week short calls to be organized with campaigners/
survivors from around the world to exchange with 20MSP participants, on their work on the ground and how
this relates to the discussions happening in Geneva.
HOME AFTER WAR: A VIRTUAL REALITY EXPERIENCEHOST: GICHD
Through the Home After War Virtual Reality (VR) experience, users aretransported to Fallujah, Iraq with Ahmaied Hamad Khalaf and his family, as
they return to their home in 2017. Although the conflict was over, the city
was still unsafe, with one looming fear; improvised explosive devices (IEDs)
hidden in homes and city infrastructure.
Visit Ahmaied’s home in Fallujah virtually; let him tell you his story.
FINISH THE JOB PLEDGE
HOST: Mine Action Canada
Delegates are offered the opportunity to share how they are going to help finish the job on landmines on a
sticker and attach them to a poster.

Side Events
MONDAY 21 NOVEMBER
13:05 – 14:50 (CET)HOW USEFUL WAS THE SECTOR WIDE THEORY OF
CHANGE FOR MINE ACTION? FINDINGS FROM OURPILOTING – THE PROS, THE CONS, AND THE NEXT STEPS.
HOST: The Netherlands (MFA) and the United Kingdom (FCDO)
Room: XXI
This event will showcase findings from piloting thesector wide Theory of Change Toolkit in Angola,
Lebanon, Ukraine, Libya, and Afghanistan. Drawing
on the experiences of stakeholders engaged, we will
share lessons learnt and how these lessons
influenced changes to the toolkit. The event will
share how the experiences of using the toolkit
differed in the distinct country contexts.
This includes the challenges of overcoming
perceptions, the difficulties of working with
implementers and donors at different stages of the
programme cycle and the advantages of using a
global theory of change and a common set ofindicators. This event will conclude our three-partengagement with the sector, drawing on support
from the Netherlands, the UK, and the support ofwider stakeholders.

LANDMINE MONITOR 2022: DELEGATES’ BRIEFING
HOST: Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor/ICBL-CMC
ROOM: XVIII

Landmine Monitor experts will discuss progress
made and remaining challenges in achieving theMine Ban Treaty’s ultimate objective of a mine freeworld.
The event will look at recent use of antipersonnel
mines, efforts to universalize and fully implement
the treaty globally. It will also provide an overview
of efforts to address the impact of mine
contamination and casualties and global trends ininternational assistance to mine action andavailable national resource.
Contact: Monitor2(at)icblcmc.org

Contact: lucas.daalhuisen(at)minbuza.nl

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VICTIM ASSISTANCE EXPERTS MEETING, SIDE EVENTS, AND EXHIBITSEvents33 SideTUESDAY 22 NOVEMBER
09:00 – 09:55 (CET)YOUTH
ACTIONFORCOMPLETION
HOST: Mines Action Canada

WEDNESDAY 23 NOVEMBER
09:00 – 09:55 (CET)UNIVERSALIZATIONAND

ROOM: XXI

To mark the 25th anniversary of the Ottawa Treaty,
Mines Action Canada’s Mine Action Fellows will share
the work they are doing in their home communities tosupport universalization of the treaty and its full
implementation.
Join us to learn how young people are working to createa mine free world in their lifetime and how states cancollaborate with them to make progress.
Contact: Gillian(at)minesactioncanada.org

TUESDAY 22 NOVEMBER
13:05 – 14:50 (CET)Survivors and / or members of mine-affected
communities will address delegates in a “lightning
talk” format responding to the above leading
question. Breakfast will be served.

WEDNESDAY 23 NOVEMBER
13:05 – 14:50 (CET)

Implementing parties including Cambodia, Colombia,
Guinea-Bissau, Iraq, Sudan, Zimbabwe, as well as the
ICBL and Paralympian skier Nijaz Memic will provide
first-hand accounts, preliminary gains obtained, andchallenges encountered in activities undertaken and/orplans for upcoming stakeholder Dialogues under the
new project sponsored by the European Union.
Via video, the Convention’s Special Envoy will speak of
his recent universalization engagement. The briefing will
have interpretation to/from Arabic, English, French, andSpanish and will be hybrid.
Contact: s.gyrup(at)apminebanconvention.org

EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY: WOMEN EMPOWERMENT INMINE ACTION
HOST: The HALO Trust
ROOM: XVIII

Across HALO’s workforce, 97 per cent of staff comefrom the communities we serve. Many of the women
HALO recruits are empowered by newfound status, skills
and income and often become agents of change in theircommunities. Building on a recent study evaluating
gender and operational efficiency, this side event will
share observations on the impact childcare support
initiatives have had to date on recruiting and retaining
the female workforce.
At the half-way point of the Oslo Action Plan, it is timely
to evaluate what next steps need to be taken, both byoperators and the international community to ensurethat the needs and perspectives of women are
considered and inform all areas of Convention
implementation and mine action programmes.

13 |#20MSPThis event draws on the wealth of personal andprofessional experience among landmine survivorsand victim assistance experts from diverse regions.
The discussion seeks to call attention to the humandimension of the Mine Ban Treaty by responding toa simple question: How has the Ottawa Convention
impacted the life of mine survivors?

Contact: Jared(at)icblcmc.org

EXPLORING NEW GROUNDSHOST: European Union
ROOM: XXI

Contact: kim.feldewerth(at)halotrust.org

SURVIVOR VOICES: THE HUMAN IMPACT OF THE
OTTAWA CONVENTION
HOST: ICBL
ROOM: XVIIICOOPERATIONFORCOMPLETION
OF
THE
HUMANITARIAN DEMINING PROCESS IN ECUADORAND PERU
Host: Permanent Missions of Ecuador and Peru to theUnited Nations at Geneva
ROOM: XXI

After the signing of the Brasilia Peace Agreementsof 1998, Ecuador and Peru began a fruitfulbinational cooperation in humanitarian demining inline with the obligations of both countries pursuant
to the Convention and with the objective of
eradicating antipersonnel mines in the border area
under the principle of joint responsibility.
Operations in the respective territories began in
2000. Since then, both countries have closelycollaborated in confidence-building measures andgood practices, joint training, capacity building,information exchange and knowledge sharing all ofwhich has been widely recognised by theinternational community as a great example ofSouth-South and regional cooperation.
Today, both countries are close to completion of
their respective demining obligations. However, thebudgetary situation and the COVID-19 pandemic
have hit both economies hard. Ecuador has
requested an extension of its Article 5 mineclearance deadline until 2025 and Peru has adeadline of December 2024 to clear its minefields.
The side event will discuss the cooperation
undertaken by both countries during more than two
decades, and the challenges remaining to achieve
the total elimination of anti-personnel mines fromtheir territories within the established deadlines.
Contact: jstacey(at)cancilleria.gob.ec,
ahorna(at)onuperuginebra.ch#MineFreeWorld#MineSurvivorsRights

VICTIM ASSISTANCE EXPERTS MEETING, SIDE EVENTS, AND EXHIBITSEvents33 SideWEDNESDAY 23 NOVEMBER
13:05 – 14:50 (CET)REMOTE IMAGING AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN
MINE ACTION: WHEN IS GOOD, GOOD ENOUGH?
Host: International Committee of the Red Cross
ROOM: XVIII

The pairing of non-technical and technical survey withremote imaging and artificial intelligence has thepotential to make survey more effective and cost
efficient by making it quicker and lowering the false
alarm rate. But what levels of detection and false alarm
are acceptable?
This side event will discuss the current state ofresearch in these areas and recent field tests
conducted by the International Committee of the Red
Cross and Jordan’s National Committee for Demining
and Rehabilitation. Other mine action operators andexperts in AI research will also participate.
Contact: hnakhuda(at)icrc.org

THURSDAY 24 NOVEMBER
13:05 – 14:50 (CET)

THURSDAY 24 NOVEMBER
13:05 – 14:50 (CET)
SOUTH SUDAN: INDIVIDUALISED APPROACH EVENT
Host: National Mine Action Authority of South Sudan and
the Committee on the Enhancement of Cooperation andAssistance
ROOM: XVIIIThe Individualised Approach, established in 2016
aims to provide a platform for affected states
parties
toprovidedetailed
individualised
information on the technical, equipment, scientific,
human, and financial challenges it faces, its
response and needs with the aim of fulfilling theremaining obligations of the Convention in an
effective and expedient way.
The event will provide an opportunity for South
Sudan to connect with other state representatives,the donor community, (including possible partners
for South-South or regional cooperation), mine
action operators, and other relevant stakeholders.
Contact: isu(at)apminebanconvention.org

INVESTING IN ACTION: NATIONAL OWNERSHIP AND
CAPACITY BUILDING IN MINE ACTION
Host: ICBL–CMC
ROOM: XXI

Increasingly, the international mine action community
is focusing on the need for comprehensive andcomplementary efforts interlinked with peace, security,and development goals. In this event, ICBL-CMC
Investing in Action Programme participants will
showcase their diverse contributions to national
efforts; from victim assistance and socio-economic
integration, to risk education, and advocacy.

FRIDAY 25 NOVEMBER
09:00 – 09:55 (CET)CHALLENGES OF HUMANITARIAN DEMINING –PARTENERHISPS AND INTEGRATED SOLUTIONS
Host: Mine Action Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan(ANAMA)
ROOM: XXIANAMA intends to highlight challenges it faces in
the course of humanitarian demining operations
and activities of the Agency to boost national
demining capacity in mines and ERW clearance inthe post-conflict period.

Participants will share experiences from a range ofmine-affected countries including Azerbaijan, Bosnia
and Herzegovina, Democratic Republic of Congo, Iraq,
Serbia, and Uganda illustrating the unique value added
and sustainability in mine action, that local partners
bring to the table. A representative of Germany will
provide opening remarks. The meeting will be
moderated by the ICBL-CMC Investing in Action
Programme.

It will dwell on the role of partnerships instrengthening the national capacity in devising
integrated and innovative solutions. The briefing
will also touch upon Azerbaijan’s approach tohumanitarian demining as a pre-condition forreconstruction and development and an essential
link to SDGs. A short power-point presentation will
be accessible.

Contact: info(at)icbl.org

Contact: Samir.poladov(at)anama.gov.az

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VICTIM ASSISTANCE EXPERTS MEETING, SIDE EVENTS, AND EXHIBITSEvents33 SideFRIDAY 25 NOVEMBER
13:05 – 14:50 (CET)TAKING STOCK – THE ROAD TO AND FROM THE MBT
Host: Norway and NPA

CRITICALLY INCLUSIVE HUMANITARIAN MINE ACTION
IN CAUCA, COLOMBIA
Host: Humanity & Inclusion (HI)ROOM: XVIII

ROOM: XXI

25 years since the Convention was adopted and about 30
since the first humanitarian mine action operations
started, we invite the sector to look back at the work
done, where we are now, where we should go and what it
takes to finish the job. Please join a panel discussion on
operator / personal / national reflections of Article 5
implementation. Participants are invited to share theirperspective and experiences with the Convention during
the Q&A session.

Through the eyes of two members from conflict
affected communities of Cajibio and Corinto, HI will
share the experience of how a people-centred andconflict-sensitive approach to community liaison
enabled a comprehensive mine action intervention
to bring about transformative changes that eased
tensions related to land tenure between farmers
and indigenous people.

Contact: Kristina.duric(at)npaid.org

EO contamination and the fear of living amid armed
groups had contributed to a loss in their way of life,
increasing their vulnerability and heightening
tensions
overlimitedresources.
Extensive
participatory approaches to community liaison
informed priority setting for clearance andcollective
productive
initiatives.
Insteadofcontinuing to grow illicit crops, the decision was
taken to produce panela (sugar blocks extracted
from sugar cane), and in doing so, traditionalcustoms were preserved. This changed previously
strained relationships between the two groups andafter years of violence and cultural differences, they
are now learning to live together in the same
territory and to work for the collective good,convinced that this will bring peace and a better life
for future generations.
Contact: e.hottentot(at)hi.org

The 25 years of the Convention also coincide with the anniversaries of other organisations, closely linked to the Convention.
Congratulations GICHD, Humanity and Inclusion, ICBL, UNMAS on your anniversaries!

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In Memoriam
As the Convention commemorates 25 years of existence, it is important to pause and acknowledge all those who have fallen and continue to fallvictim of anti-personnel mines. We also pause to remember some faces of the Convention. The making of a mine-free world and guaranteeing
the rights of mine victims everywhere takes committed individuals. These are some of those to whom we thank, and say goodbye.

As Director of Algeria's National Demining Programme
Colonel Ahcène Gherabi was a familiar face in the Convention
community. His efforts towards the elimination of antipersonnel mines contributed to declaring Algeria “mine free”
in 2017. Colonel Gherabi will be greatly missed.

The Sudanese National Mine Action Centre is also remembering its former Director,
General Amir Abdelsadig. Photo top right, the General with his colleague Colonel
Gherabi at the symbolic signing of the Convention’s 20th anniversary.

Ambassador Papa Omar led the
Senegalese Mine Action Centre
until retirement. In 2018, hetook a break from retirement toassist the Centre with a national
stakeholder dialogue on mineclearance in Dakar.

South African Bishop Desmond Tutu joined the global movement calling for a
total ban on anti-personnel mines. At left, Bishop Tutu at the African Union
conference on landmines in Kempton Park. Below, part of one of his reflections
for spiritual practice.
“…I was collecting sticks for the fire when I lost my arms
I was taking the goats to water when I lost my feet.
I have a head, but my head does not understand why
there are landmines in the grazing land, or
why there is a tripwire across the dusty road to the market…”

This year marked the 25th anniversary since the death of Princess Diana, a fierce
advocate of the rights of those maimed by anti-personnel mines. Princess Diana
died only days before negotiations for the Convention began in Oslo.

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4

The Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention

At the Fourth Review Conference, the States Parties adopted the Oslo Declaration on a Mine-Free World, committing to among
others, intensify efforts to destroy stockpiled anti-personnel mines, assist mine victims, promote universal adherence andobservance of the Convention’s norms, and address mined areas to the fullest extent possible by 2025. To guide these
efforts, the States Parties adopted the Oslo Action Plan 2020–2024.
Find the Action Plan, Oslo Declaration, Convention Text, and work of the Convention’s machinery scanning the
QR code at right, or https://www.apminebanconvention.org/en/resources/publications/. The
publication exists in Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Status of universalization
164 States have ratified or have acceded to the Convention. They include:








most of the States that at one time used, stockpiled, produced or transferred anti-personnel mines;
the vast majority of States that are or have been affected by anti-personnel mines;
every State in the Americas, with the exception of two;
every State in Sub-Saharan Africa;
every Member State of the European Union;ten (10) of the 15 Members of the UN Security Council; and,the majority of ASEAN Member States.

Since 2017, there have been no new adherents to the Convention. The following 33 States are not yet party*:
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Bahrain
China
Cuba
Egypt
Georgia
India
Iran

IsraelKazakhstan
Korea, DPR of
Korea, Republic ofKyrgyzstan
Lao PDR
Lebanon
Libya
Marshall Islands*

Micronesia, Federated States ofMongolia
MoroccoMyanmar
Nepal
Pakistan
Russian Federation
Saudi Arabia

Singapore
Syrian Arab Republic
Tonga
United Arab Emirates
United States of America
Uzbekistan
Vietnam* Of the States that signed the Convention, the Republic of the Marshall Islands is the only one that has not yet ratified it. Whileit has not yet formally accepted the obligations of the Convention, in accordance with Article 18 of the 1969 Vienna Convention
on the Law of Treaties, the Republic of the Marshall Islands is obliged to refrain from acts which would defeat the object andpurpose of Conventions that it has signed.

17 | #20MSP#MineFreeWorld#MineSurvivorsRights

2

0

2

3

February

Eight International Pledging Conference, Geneva

1 MarchTwenty-fourth anniversary of the entry into force of the Convention

31 March

Final date for States Parties to submit for consideration of the 21MSP if
necessary, requests to extend their mine clearance deadline

4 AprilInternational Day for Mine Action and Awareness

30 April

Deadline for States Parties to submit Article 7 transparency reports andupdated Work Plans if need be

May (tbd)

2023 Intersessional Meetings, Geneva6

18 September

Twenty-sixth anniversary of the adoption of theConvention in Oslo

20-24 November

Twenty-First Meeting of the States Parties, Geneva

3 December

International Day of Persons with Disabilities

3-4 December

Twenty-sixth anniversary of the signing of the Convention

Subject to 20MSP approval.

6

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This brochure was produced by the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention Implementation Support Unit

The Implementation Support Unit (ISU) is secretariat to the 1997 Convention on the Prohibition of theUse, Stockpiling, Production, and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction.
The ISU is mandated to support the States Parties to the Convention including byProviding advice and technical support on implementation and universalization

Providing support to the Convention’s office holders;

Communicating on behalf of the President and States Parties, and providing information about
the Convention;

Keeping records of formal and informal meetings under the Convention; and,Liaising and coordinating with relevant international and non-governmental organisations thatparticipate in the work of the Convention

The ISU is funded on a voluntary basis by the States Parties and directly accountable to them. The
ISU is hosted at the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining thanks to support
provided by Switzerland.

Find the Convention on social media:@MineBanTreaty@MineBanTreaty
facebook.com/AntiPersonnelMineBanConvention
flickr.com/photos/APMineBanConvention/albums
Linkedin.com/company/MineBanConvention
youtube.com/@minebantreaty

Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention
Implementation Support Unit
Chemin Eugène-Rigot 2C
P.O. Box 1300
1211 Geneva 1
Switzerland
T +41 (0)22 730 93 11
F +41 (0)22 730 93 62
E isu(at)apminebanconvention.org
www.apminebanconvention.org