Ministry Statements & Speeches:
Thank you, President.
New Zealand reiterates its full support and appreciation for your leadership. We thank you for the very warm hospitality extended to us here in Vientiane and Luang Prabang.
We also take the opportunity to convey our appreciation to the Implementation Support Unit in their support of preparations for this Review Conference, and to civil society, particularly the team behind the Cluster Munition Monitor, for their tireless work.
New Zealand remains firmly committed to the Convention on Cluster Munitions and its humanitarian objectives. The Convention reflects our dedication to place human security and humanitarian considerations at the centre of disarmament action. We continue to support the universalisation and full implementation of the Convention and urge all States that have not yet joined, to do so without delay. We welcome Nigeria, South Sudan and Vanuatu who all joined the Convention since the Second Review Conference.
Over the past 18 years, the Convention has made a significant impact. Its implementation has saved lives and limbs from explosive submunitions, contributed to the clearance of land, supported survivors, and strengthened the international norm against cluster munitions.
The strength of this Convention draws not only from the norm it embodies, but also from its implementation. Significant progress has been made in stockpile destruction, clearance, risk education and victim assistance. At the same time challenges remain. We must maintain momentum to ensure that affected communities receive the support they need and that obligations under the Convention are met in full.
We recognise the important role of international cooperation and assistance in enabling effective implementation. Ensuring sustainable support for clearance activities, victim assistance programmes, and national implementation efforts will remain critical in the years ahead, including here in Laos, one of the places most heavily impacted by the unacceptable harm cluster munitions cause.
President, reports of new and continued use of cluster munitions in recent years are deeply concerning. Research from the Monitor tells us that in 2025, more than 1,000 cluster munition casualties were recorded, 87% of which were civilians.
In New Zealand’s view, any military utility of cluster munitions is far outweighed by the pattern of harm they cause, a pattern extensively documented by the humanitarian demining community. Indeed, history has shown time and again that the characteristics of cluster munitions can make it difficult to use these in compliance with international humanitarian law. The Convention’s categorical prohibition of cluster munitions is precautionary and appropriate: it reduces the risk of actions incompatible with international humanitarian law and strengthens the protection of civilians.
New Zealand condemns any use of cluster munitions. We urge all states to cease the use, production, stockpiling, and transfer of these weapons immediately.
President, while the norm against cluster munitions remains strong, it is also under significant pressure. Only with the concerted efforts of all States Parties, in partnership with civil society and affected communities and individuals, can we respond to the pressures faced by the Convention and reinforce it.
We continue to regret deeply Lithuania’s withdrawal from the Convention and urge Lithuania to reconsider its decision. We call on all States Parties to remain resolute in upholding their obligations under the Convention – including in the active promotion of its norms and objectives.
While New Zealand is geographically distant from many current conflicts, we stand in solidarity with affected communities and remain committed to supporting advocacy, clearance, victim assistance, and risk education.
This Review Conference provides an opportunity not only to assess progress, but also to reaffirm our collective commitment to a world free from cluster munitions. New Zealand looks forward to engaging constructively throughout this Conference to the adoption of a forward-looking outcome that reinforces our shared humanitarian objective. Let us continue to work together to strengthen our Convention, uphold its humanitarian core, and consign cluster munitions to history.
Thank you.