Ministry Statements & Speeches:
Thank you, President.
New Zealand is pleased to welcome the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Kingdom of Tonga as States Parties to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention. The Pacific knows all too well how the impacts of explosive remnants of war can linger long after conflicts. We refer to the Joint Pacific Statement delivered by Palau, highlighting the Pacific region’s commitment to a mine free world. We congratulate the people and governments of RMI and Tonga for your leadership and contribution to our Ocean of Peace.
New Zealand was pleased to participate recently in the Asia and Pacific Regional Conference on International Humanitarian Law, co-hosted by the Philippines and the ICRC in Manila. This symposium highlighted the Asia-Pacific's decades-long leadership on this issue. Just as importantly, the gathering spoke to the enduring value of the Convention for our region.
We remain deeply concerned by recent decisions to withdrawal from the Convention by Poland, Latvia, Finland, Estonia, and Lithuania. We underline that these Conventions are integral parts of the international humanitarian law and disarmament architecture. They reduce human suffering, and they offer explicit protections to civilians during and after armed conflict. As the global security environment deteriorates, we must reinforce these commitments.
Moving to a different issue, we are aware of communications from one State Party about wanting to suspend its obligations under the Convention. New Zealand has stated the view is that this is not possible in a Note Verbale we submitted to the UN Secretary-General on 25 November. We look forward to considering this issue at the appropriate time this week.
It is New Zealand’s view that the harm from anti-personnel mines far outweighs their military utility. These are victim-activated weapons, which are highly likely to have indiscriminate effects. We call on all States Parties to reaffirm their commitment to the Convention, and all States not yet Party to join the Convention without delay.
President, the global norm against anti-personnel mines is strong. The large majority of states – in almost all regions of the world – continue to promote it. It is the responsibility of all States Parties to uphold and further strengthen this norm. Production and use of these weapons cannot be normalised. We recall that Action 12 of the Siem Reap-Angkor Action Plan includes condemning violations of the norm. New Zealand condemns the use of anti-personnel mines by any actor, under any circumstances, and any weakening of the norm which could see new use more likely. We also encourage all States not Party to consider submitting voluntary Article 7 transparency reports.
New Zealand will continue to work with its partners around the world to achieve our collective vision of a mine free world.
Thank you.