9th Meeting of the States Parties - Media Advisory

Geneva, 19 November 2008 – Government representatives, landmine survivors, international agencies, mine action operators and civil society activists from over 100 countries will gather in Geneva, Switzerland, for the Ninth Meeting of the States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty from 24-28 November 2008, at the Palais des Nations.

The meeting will focus on the implementation of obligations under the Mine Ban Treaty, with particular emphasis on the clearance of mined areas, destruction of stockpiled mines and victim assistance. States Parties to the treaty are expected to decide for the first time whether to grant extension requests to 15 states unable to meet their mine clearance deadlines.

Members of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), winner of the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize for its role in bringing about the ban on antipersonnel mines, will actively participate in the meeting.

Opening Press Conference

Monday 24 November 2008, 9:00 – Palais des Nations, Room III

Song Kosal, landmine survivor and ICBL Youth Ambassador, and Steve Goose, head of delegation of the ICBL and Director of the Human Rights Watch Arms Division, will join H.E. Jürg Streuli, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the Conference on Disarmament and President of the 9MSP, and Christine Beerli, Vice-President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, for the opening press conference.

ICBL-sponsored activities during the week include:

Tuesday 25 November, 13:00 – 15:00, Palais des Nations, Room 16

Challenges to humanitarian mine action: the case of Colombia

A panel discussion bringing together civil society and Colombian government experts.

Wednesday 26 November, 13:00 – 15:00, Palais des Nations, Room 9

Inclusive education: Experiences in mine-affected countries

A panel discussion on lessons learned and good practices to implement inclusive education by looking at experiences in mine-affected countries.

Friday 28 November, 13:00 – 15:00, Palais des Nations, Room 16

Convention on Cluster Munitions: Oslo and beyond

With less than one week to go before the opening for signature of the Convention on Cluster Munitions, key players in the “Oslo process” will provide an update on what will happen at, and beyond, the signing ceremony.

Click here for the complete schedule of side events.

ICBL delegates – including mine action operators and landmine survivors – can provide interviews in English, French, Spanish, Arabic and many other languages on the landmine situation in all geographical regions, mine clearance, victim assistance, stories of survival and more.

For more information or to schedule an interview:

Amelie Chayer, Communications Officer, ICBL; email: media@icbl.org; tel. +41 (0)78 606 94 22 or +33 6 89 55 12 81