Tenth Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions (10MSP) 30 August to 2 September 2022

30 Aug 2022 10msp 4 c

Agenda Item 8: General Exchange of Views

Mr. President,

We join with other delegations in congratulating Ambassador Aidan Liddle of the United Kingdom on your assumption as President of the Tenth Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions. Please be assured of our delegation’s full support in ensuring a successful conclusion to our deliberations. We also wish to thank the CCM ISU for their work to implement the Convention.

Mr. President,

At the outset allow me to reiterate Sri Lanka’s strong commitment to realize the humanitarian objectives and principles of the Convention on Cluster Munitions, to put an end to inhumane injury and suffering caused by cluster munitions during and after conflicts. Sri Lanka had the honour to preside over the 9th Meeting of State Parties to the Convention in 2019, one year after its accession to the Convention.

We consider the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which comprehensively bans the use, production, transfer, and stockpiling of these weapons as one of the key disarmament treaties. Cluster Munitions are considered as one of the most inhumane weapons due to its indiscriminate effect and the deadly legacy it leaves behind beyond conflict situations, as they continue to lie on the ground for years, even decades, endangering lives of men, women and children.

As we commemorate the 12th Anniversary of the entry into force of the Convention this year, we welcome the adoption of the Lausanne Action Plan for the period 2022 to 2026 as a concrete outcome of the Second Review Conference last year listing out measurable indicatives to implement the Convention. The adoption of the Lausanne Action Plan exemplifies the persistent commitment of States Parties to ensure full and continuous implementation of the Convention despite the global challenges caused by the pandemic and the increase of conflict situations. We remain hopeful that the Lausanne Action Plan would breathe new life to the Convention and would contribute to bring on board more new State Parties committed to the objectives of the Convention while expediting the fulfilment of Convention obligations of the existing States Parties.

Learning from the achievements of the Sri Lanka’s Mine Action Programme we believe that national ownership and development of realistic time bound action plans in partnership with ground level operators are the key to successful implementation of the Convention obligations. We also see the importance of gender inclusivity at all levels of cluster munitions clarence including in risk education and victim assistance.

Mr. President,

It is important in this context to understand that not only States that retain and deploy cluster munitions who have an obligation to stop the use of this deadly weapon but also the arms exporting states and financial institutions investing in cluster munition production have a responsibility to ensure such investments are halted at the earliest. It is important that governments adopt and enforce legislation that prohibits investment in cluster munitions producers.

In closing, Mr. President, let me reiterate my delegation’s full support for the humanitarian objectives of the Convention and for the successful implementation of the Lausanne Action Plan.

Thank you, Mr. President.

View PDF

Copyright © 2021 www.lankamission.org. All Rights Reserved.