Albania takes on presidency of the Mine Convention

GENEVA, Switzerland, Nov. 2 – The incoming president of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention has announced the Tenth Meeting of the States Parties will take place in Geneva, Switzerland from Nov. 29 to Dec. 3.
Albanian Foreign Minister Edmond Haxhinasto will hold a speech along other top personalities.
“This is an important milestone on our road to a ‘mine-free world'” said Gazmend Turdiu, secretary general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Albania and President-designate of the Convention.
“Key issues to be discussed include challenges related to clearing mined areas, destroying stockpiled mines and ensuring sustained support for landmine survivors,” added Turdiu.
The fact that Albania is inheriting this great responsibility is significant given how Albania serves as a positive example for all others through the efforts it has made to implement the convention’s mine clearance, stockpile destruction and victim assistance provisions.
“Promoting technical cooperation, information exchanges and other forms of assistance continues to be one of our core functions,” said Turdiu. “It is also important that we continue to emphasize that strong national ownership is essential for ensuring that cooperation can flourish,” he added.
During the five day meeting over 700 delegates representing over 100 States, international and non-governmental organizations will discuss the progress made during the first year of the application of the Cartagena Action Plan, which requires states part to the convention to adopt measures aimed at ending the use and stockpiling of landmines and assisting the victims.
The plan was adopted during the Cartagena Summit on a Mine-Free World or Second Review Conference of the Convention, which took place in Cartagena, Colombia from Nov. 30 to Dec. 4.
The 1997 AP Mine Ban Convention was adopted in Oslo and opened for signature in Ottawa.