UNDP's Helen Clark To Attend Global Landmines Meeting

Phnom Penh -- 21 November, 2011 – Helen Clark, the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Chair of the United Nations Development Group (UNDG) has announced she will attend the upcoming Eleventh Meeting of the States Parties to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (11MSP), or Ottawa Convention.

“Participation by Helen Clark is a strong reaffirmation of the UN’s commitment to end the suffering caused by anti-personnel mines as well as a reminder of the significant role that demining plays in the social and economic development of communities and nations,” said H.E. PRAK Sokhonn, who will chair the 27 November to 2 December 2011 event, to take place in the Cambodian capital. “For the past 20 years the UNDP has been a partner to the Government of Cambodia in addressing the suffering caused by landmines and in achieving progress towards the milestones set by the Convention,” said His Excellency. “Through political will and determination, Cambodia has successfully removed thousands of landmines and helped its citizens live safer lives,” said Helen Clark who will be a keynote speaker during the opening ceremony on 27 November. “This meeting is an opportunity for other mine affected States to learn from Cambodia’s experiences.”

Douglas Broderick , the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Cambodia highlighted the work carried out by UNDP in the country. “Thousands of landmines have been destroyed and millions of square metres of land have been cleared, in part, thanks to the UNDP efforts. This has saved lives and limbs, supported resettlement efforts, and assisted in the development of communities in the most affected provinces.” It is expected that Helen Clark’s announcement will be the first of others to come, announcing high level participation in the world’s largest annual meeting of diplomats and landmine experts with over 1,000 participants expected. The 11MSP, taking place in what remains one of the most mine affected countries in the world, is particularly significant because the movement is returning to a place where it all started two decades ago.

The Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention

The Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention was adopted in Oslo in 1997, opened for signature in Ottawa the same year and entered into force in 1999. To date 158 states have joined the Convention with 153 of these reporting that they no longer hold stocks of anti-personnel mines. Over 44.5 million stockpiled mines have been destroyed by the States Parties. 34 of 50 States that at one time manufactured anti-personnel mines are now bound by the Convention’s ban on production. Most other parties have put in place moratoria on production and / or transfers of mines. Demining has resulted in millions of square metres of once dangerous land being released for normal human activity.

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