Meeting of States Parties to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention: Cooperation and Assistance statement

Thank you, President. 

According to The Landmine Monitor, global funding for mine action in 2024 surpassed one billion dollars. It is positive to see continued international support for mine action, which reduces harm and enables sustainable development. Yet it is clear that the task is far from complete. Despite our efforts, new anti-personnel mine use is still occurring, which creates new hazards and added costs.

The Monitor also indicates that funding for mine action is not reaching all those who need it. We acknowledge the challenges for affected states in accessing funding, and in this regard we welcome the efforts of the working group chaired by Norway on a potential Voluntary Trust Fund. 

Through the Convention’s mechanisms and other partnerships, we have tools to coordinate, innovate, and ultimately to reduce harm. The urgent need for mine action around the world highlights the value of these mechanisms, and we call on all States Parties in a position to do so to provide assistance.

New Zealand is committed to supporting implementation of the Siem Reap-Angkor Action Plan actions on cooperation and assistance. New Zealand’s current partnerships support mine risk education, victim assistance, survey, and clearance in Southeast Asia, South America, the Pacific, and the Middle East.  

We are pleased to report that New Zealand has committed 6 million dollars over the next two financial years to the United Nations Mine Action Service’s work in the West Bank and Gaza. New Zealand values UNMAS’s ongoing work to deliver mine safety coordination, ordnance removal, and community education, which are essential for immediate protection and longer-term recovery. New Zealand’s funding in the West Bank includes capacity-building support to the Palestinian Mine Action Centre.  

The New Zealand Defence Force also provides support in our home region, the Pacific. This includes joint activities with regional security partners, like the Australian-led Operation RENDER SAFE, and bilateral clearance and capacity building projects.
 
Finally, New Zealand is pleased to support the work of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines again this year. Civil society advocates, including survivors, play an essential role in upholding the taboo against these indiscriminate weapons. It was in significant part through their efforts that our Convention came into being, and it is their efforts that continue to push us all forwards. 
 
Thank you.