Mr. President
Distinguished Delegates
Sri Lanka extends its warm congratulations to Ambassador Carlos D. Sorreta, Permanent Representative of the Philippines for assuming the Presidency of the Thirteenth Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions. My delegation assures you Sri Lanka’s fullest support in achieving a productive and meaningful outcome of this meeting.
Mr. President,
Sri Lanka remains convinced that this Convention represents a significant achievement in international humanitarian law as well as in the global disarmament landscape due to its comprehensive approach in mitigating the humanitarian impact of cluster munitions in all aspects. Our presence here today reaffirms our enduring commitment towards a world free from the devastating impact of cluster munitions. We recall that the Convention on Cluster Munitions has protected countless civilian lives from indiscriminate and widespread harm caused by cluster munitions, since its entry into force.
Today, we are convened here for the 13th Meeting of States Parties (13MSP) with clear expectation that our discussions will lead towards strengthening the implementation of the Convention and its universalization. It is vital to advance victim assistance, accelerate stockpile destruction, clearance and destruction of cluster munition remnants in affected areas, promote risk reduction education, especially among the youth, and enhance international cooperation and assistance. We must collectively identify and address the challenges in addressing these objectives. In addition, we believe that the 13MSP will set the stage for a more comprehensive review of the monitoring progress in implementing the Lausanne Action Plan with a view to prepare for the Third Review Conference of the Convention, which is scheduled for 2026, in Lao PDR and we congratulate Lao PDR for assuming the Presidency of the Third Review Conference.
Mr. President,
Cluster munitions, by their very design, are inherently indiscriminate. They disperse dozens or even hundreds of submunitions over a wide area.
This makes it impossible to distinguish between a military target and a nearby civilian population and hence one of the most fundamental principles of International Humanitarian Law (IHL); the principle of distinction, is violated. Further, their spread in a wide-area and high failure rate, cause disproportionate harm to civilians while violating the principle of ‘proportionality’ in IHL. Therefore, this Convention’s legally binding provisions to prohibit use, stockpiling, production and transfer of cluster munitions, is a vital step in upholding IHL.
Cluster munitions pose a significant threat, causing civilian casualties both during and after conflicts. The unexploded remnants remain on the ground as dangerous ordnance, capable of harming civilians; especially children, women, and farmers in their fields as well as damaging civilian infrastructure, even decades after ending conflict.
To eliminate the humanitarian impact and suffering caused by cluster munitions, the Convention on Cluster Munitions also mandates the destruction of stockpiles and the clearance of contaminated areas, in addition to prohibiting their use, production, and transfer. This safeguards civilian lives and prevents further suffering in post-conflict situations.
With a view to addressing these humanitarian impacts universally, we urge all States which are not party to the Convention to accede to this important humanitarian disarmament Convention and join the global disarmament community in condemning the use of cluster munitions which have devastating impact. We welcome the accession of Vanuatu as the 112th State Party to the Convention.
While noting that a large number of victims of cluster munition attacks are civilians, Sri Lanka also emphasizes the importance of continued efforts to support affected communities and survivors and strengthening international cooperation and assistance in achieving the Convention's goals.
As a country that has never used, produced, or stockpiled cluster munitions, and fulfilled its obligations under Article 1 of the Convention, Sri Lanka reaffirms its unwavering commitment to realizing the core objectives of the Convention.
President,
We also take this opportunity to appreciate the tremendous work and commitment being carried out by Director and the Implementation Support Unit (ISU) of the Convention in assisting the implementation efforts and monitoring of the humanitarian obligations under the Convention.
In conclusion, Sri Lanka reiterates its commitment to working constructively with all States Parties to achieve our shared vision of a world free from cluster munitions.
I Thank you.