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Australia’s Universalisation Efforts in the Asia Region Leisa Gibson, Acting Mine Action Coordinator, AusAID. The Mine Ban Convention.
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Australia’s Universalisation Efforts in the Asia Region Leisa Gibson, Acting Mine Action Coordinator, AusAID
The Mine Ban Convention • 1997 The Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction (the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention) • 156 States Party • Latest countries to join: Palau, Montenegro, Indonesia, Kuwait and Iraq
Nairobi Action Plan • 2004 Nairobi summit on a Mine-Free World • Five year review conference • Universal adherence will remain an important object of cooperation among States Parties.
Actions in the Nairobi Action Plan • Calls on States Parties to • Accede and ratify the Convention • Address universalisation challenges • Accord particular importance to regions where adherence remains low i.e. Middle east, Asia and CIS • Promote adherence in bilateral and multilateral fora • Promote universal observance by reducing stockpiles, production and transfer by both state and non-state actors • Encourage universalisation efforts by international non-government organisations: UN, ICRC and ICBL
Australia’s commitment to mine action globally • Australia was one of the original signatories to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention in 1997. • In 1995, pledged A$100m of mine action assistance over 10 years – realised ahead of time. • In 2005, renewed our efforts by committing A$75m over 5 years.
Australia’s Mine Action Strategy • Pledge supported by a mine action strategy, focussing on mine/ERW-affected countries in the Asian region. • Addresses anti-personnel landmines and all forms of ERW. • All pillars of mine action – de-mining, mine risk education, survivor assistance, universalisation and stockpile destruction.
What do we look for in partners? • Clear articulation of mine action goals and objectives. • Clear, specific and realistic national mine action plan with timelines and concrete steps towards goals with which we can align. • Good governance and strong leadership - encourages donor harmonisation and attracts funding commitments.
Australia’s Global Support to Convention Universalisation • Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Development (GICHD) • Implementation Support Unit • Victim Assistance Support Process • Convention Sponsorship Program • Operations (focus on Asia-Pacific) • Landmine Monitor • Regional universalisation workshops and advocacy (ICBL)
Australia’ Regional Support to Convention Universalisation • Actively promote universalisation in international fora. • Action Plan as part of 7MSP Presidency • Vanuatu Workshop on Universalisation in the Pacific region. • Co-funded Bali Workshop this year.
Why is Mine Action important to the Asia Pacific Region? • The region with highest casualty rates: 2510 casualties of a world total of 5751in 2007(probably underreported). • More than double next region of Sub Saharan Africa. • Combined, six States may hold more than 160 million stockpiled antipersonnel mines. • States Non Party are engaging with Convention fora. • Region underrepresented in the Convention.
The Mine Ban Convention in the ASEAN Region • Of the 11 Member and Candidate States, 7 are parties to the Convention. • Three states have reported and completed stockpile destruction programs. • Two States Party in ASEAN are a part of the 24 States Party with significant survivor assistance needs. • All States Party have submitted initial transparency reporting and six more states have reporting due in April 2008.
Intercessional Meeting • 2-6 June Geneva. • Practical focus on implementation. • Both States Party and non Party encouraged to attend.
Resources • GICHD ISU www.gichd.org • ICBL Landmine Monitor http://www.icbl.org/lm • ICRC http://www.icrc.org/web/eng/siteeng0.nsf/htmlall/mines?OpenDocument • ARF Members