ICBL addresses the United Nations First Committee (Disarmament and International Security)

The United Nations First Committee. Photo: Mary Wareham

From 12-23 October 2009, ICBL campaigners gathered in New York to conduct advocacy and outreach in favor of the Mine Ban Treaty and the Convention on Cluster Munitions, alongside colleagues from the Cluster Munition Coalition. Campaigners from both coalitions met with representatives of 50 governments to discuss both treaties during the annual meeting of the United Nations First Committee (Disarmament and International Security). In addition to lobbying meetings, a briefing on preparations for the Cartagena Summit was held and the ICBL took the floor during a session of the First Committee.

The briefing on preparations for the Cartagena Summit, organized by the ICBL and Switzerland together with Colombia and Norway, was held on 23 October during lunchtime and brought together representatives of 20 states.
Read the panelists's remarks:

• Ambassador Jürg Streuli, Switzerland's Permanent Representative to the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva and President of the Ninth Meeting of States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty
• Ambassador Jairo Montoya, Colombia's Deputy Permanent Representative to the U.N. in New York
• Dr Hilde Janne Skorpen, Norway's Deputy Permanent Representative to the U.N. in Geneva
• Steve Goose, Director of Human Rights Watch's Arms Division, Head of ICBL delegation

Ambassador Jairo Montoya Pedroza, Dr Hilde Janne Skorpen, Ambassador Jurg Streuli, Mr Steve Goose. Photo: Mary Wareham

Later that day, Steve Goose addressed the First Committee on behalf of the ICBL. He invited all states to come and participate in the Cartagena Summit, noting that the Mine Ban Treaty is an open and inclusive process and all are welcome. Speaking about the U.N. General Assembly resolution on the Mine Ban Treaty, he indicated: "It is time for those who continue to abstain, to instead vote in favor, reflecting the nearly universal view that these weapons should at some point be eliminated from the face of the Earth." Calling the treaty "a stellar example of the concrete benefits of humanitarian disarmament and of citizen diplomacy," he also recalled that much remains to be done to clear contaminated land, destroy remaining stockpiles of antipersonnel mines, and provide adequate assistance to mine survivors and affected communities.

More information
Campaign Urges Hold-Out States to Ban Landmines, ICBL press release, 23 October 2009
Photos by Mary Wareham