Intersessional Daily Update 3 - Mine Action

(Wednesday 11 February 2004 ) Standing Committee on Mine Clearance, Mine Risk Education and Mine Action Technologies.
11. February 2004

ICBL presentations

Bill Howell, Handicap International France Conceptual presentation elaborating on the concepts “exit strategy” as opposed to “achievement”, “mine impact free” or “mine free” and “priority impact” or “control”. View full statement.

Key discussions:

• Area reduction and the need for technical survey
• The call from technology developers to increase focus on technology development for Mine Action
• 25 countries made statements on their status of implementation – 4 Ps (problems, plans, progress and priorities for assistance with regards to meeting their deadlines)

Afghanistan	Tajikistan	Cambodia
Rep of Congo	Guatemala	Guinea Bissau
Jordan	Albania	Malawi
Mauritania	Mozambique	Rwanda
Thailand	Ecuador	Sudan
Yemen	Bosnia and Herzegovina	Former Yuogslavian Rep of Macedonia
Peru	Uganda	Zimbabwe
Surinam	Niger	Namibia
Solomon Islands

Highlights for the ICBL

• To see the increased reporting on Mine Risk Education in country presentations
• To see increased seriousness and detailed reporting on progress made in the implementation on matters pertaining to Art. 5
• To hear several statements on the importance and recognition of linking/integrating Mine Action into development plans

Concerns for the ICBL

• The call from mine affected countries for sustained and even increased funding and assistance to meet the obligations of Art 5
• Eg: BiH estimate a need of USD 333 mill to implement the 10 year plan and need significant international donor support for most of this amount. Rep. of Congo and Mozambique need financial support to conduct technical surveys, Guatemala hopes to conclude the Mine Action plan in 2005, however, needs donor assistance. Zimbabwe will not meet their obligations in Art. 5 unless financially assisted. Niger and Rwanda appeal for technical and financial assistance to implement their Mine Action plan.

Quote of the day:

“In theory, there is no difference between practice and theory. In practice there is. "

(Bill Howell, Handicap International France)