EventsFeaturesImage galleriesMediaMFAT speeches20042005200620072008Media contact informationMinisters releasesPublications
Mr Chairman,
We are all well aware of the humanitarian crisis that mines and explosive remnants of war cause. It is an issue that we, the Member States of the United Nations, need to remain seized of and ensure full cooperation and coordination. New Zealand sees mine action assistance to be a very important part of peacekeeping and peace-building if long-term, sustainable development is to be achieved.
New Zealand seeks improved integration and coordination in mine action that incorporates a development perspective so that benefits will be sustained and will meet the needs of the affected communities, help reduce poverty and strengthen human rights.
We welcome the latest report of the Secretary General noting especially that the 2001-2005 strategy has fostered coordination. There now are commitments among all UN partners on the integration of a development perspective into mine action in the planning and operations in peacekeeping and peacebuilding. The importance of coordination and collaboration among mine action actors is paramount and UNMAS role is critical to this process. UNMAS’s willingness to be transparent with the development of the current and future UN Mine Action Strategy is to be congratulated. We note the launching of the latest Portfolio of Mine Action Projects 2005 earlier this week, which will greatly assist potential donors and assist, we the member states, in identifying areas that require the greatest assistance.
New Zealand supports mine action in a variety of ways including the provision of mine clearance personnel as well as support for non-governmental organisations involved in mine clearance and mine awareness programmes.
We wish to express our appreciation for the non-governmental organisations that work on mine action issues. In particular, the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, which continues to successfully mobilise support for the Ottawa Convention, and the International Committee of the Red Cross, whose efforts in the field and the area of international humanitarian law are invaluable.
Mr Chairman
The Ottawa Convention banning the use, stockpiling and production of anti-personnel mines continues to be a successful and constructive forum for mine action. New Zealand continues to be a steadfast supporter of the Ottawa Convention and we look forward to taking-up next year the position of Co-Chair of the Standing Committee on the General Status and Operation of the Committee. We call on those states outside the Ottawa Convention to respect the now firmly established norm against the use of anti-personnel mines and to join the Convention without delay. In our own region we welcome the accession by Timor Leste to the Convention, and its ratification by Papua New Guinea.
The first review of the Convention, and its achievements, to be held in Nairobi next month is yet again testimony of member states’ vision to eradicate from the world the effects of antipersonnel mines and explosive remnants of war.
New Zealand continues to strongly support work underway in the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons – that is the CCW. Last year we welcomed the agreement to the Fifth Protocol to the CCW addressing explosive remnants of war. The Fifth Protocol broke new ground by recognising that parties to a conflict have an obligation to take responsibility for the munitions they have deployed and to take measures to reduce the risk of harm to civilians. New Zealand is currently working towards ratification of that Protocol. We believe that the ongoing relevance of the CCW will be dependent on its response to the concern that is being voiced increasingly strongly by the international community on the unnecessary suffering caused by submunitions to civilians.
There have been major achievements over the last few years but let us not become complacent as major challenges remain in achieving the vision for a Mine Free World.
Finally, Mr Chairman
As has been noted by previous speakers we too were disappointed that consensus was not achieved on a resolution this year. This will mean we will unfortunately not receive a progress report for the 60th session of the General Assembly. However, we are confident that UNMAS will, as it has in the past, keep Member States closely advised of developments, especially the development of the new strategy for 2006-2010 to meet the challenges in mine action.
If our objective is to make the world a safer place - free of mines, it is critical that the collective efforts of the United Nations, governments and civil society is well-harnessed, constructive and effective in addressing mine action goals.
Thank you.
