Implementation of the Convention
on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of
Anti-personnel Mines and on Their Destruction
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolutions 54/54 B of 1 December 1999, 55/33 V of 20
November 2000 and 56/24 M of 29 November 2001,
Reaffirming its determination to put an end to the suffering and
casualties caused by anti-personnel mines, which kill or maim hundreds of people
every week, mostly innocent and defenceless civilians and especially children,
obstruct economic development and reconstruction, inhibit the repatriation of
refugees and internally displaced persons, and have other severe consequences
for years after emplacement,
Believing it necessary to do the utmost to contribute in an efficient
and coordinated manner to facing the challenge of removing anti-personnel mines
placed throughout the world, and to assure their destruction,
Wishing to do the utmost in ensuring assistance for the care and
rehabilitation, including the social and economic reintegration, of mine
victims,
Welcoming the entry into force, on 1 March 1999, of the Convention on
the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of
Anti-personnel Mines and on Their
Destruction,[1] and noting with
satisfaction the work undertaken to implement the Convention and the substantial
progress made towards addressing the global landmine problem,
Recalling the First Meeting of the States Parties to the Convention,
held at Maputo from 3 to 7 May 1999, and the reaffirmation made in the Maputo
Declaration of a commitment to the total eradication of anti-personnel
mines,[2]
Recalling also the Second Meeting of States Parties to the Convention,
held at Geneva from 11 to 15 September 2000, and the Declaration of the Second
Meeting of States Parties reaffirming the commitment to implement completely and
fully all provisions of the
Convention,[3]
Recalling further the Third Meeting of States Parties to the
Convention, held at Managua from 18 to 21 September 2001, and the Declaration of
the Third Meeting of States Parties reaffirming the unwavering commitment both
to the total eradication of anti-personnel mines and to addressing the insidious
and inhumane effects of those
weapons,[4]
Recalling the Fourth Meeting of States Parties to the Convention, held
at Geneva from 16 to 20 September 2002, and the Declaration of the Fourth
Meeting of States Parties reaffirming the commitment of the States parties to
intensify further their efforts in those areas most directly related to the core
humanitarian objectives of the
Convention,[5]
Noting with satisfaction that additional States have ratified or
acceded to the Convention, bringing the total number of States that have
formally accepted the obligations of the Convention to one hundred and
twenty-nine,
Emphasizing the desirability of attracting the adherence of all States
to the Convention, and determined to work strenuously towards the promotion of
its universalization,
Noting with regret that anti-personnel mines continue to be used in
conflicts around the world, causing human suffering and impeding post-conflict
development,
1. Invites all States that have not signed the Convention on the
Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel
Mines and on Their Destruction to accede to it without delay;
2. Urges all States that have signed but not ratified the Convention
to ratify it without delay;
3. Stresses the importance of the full and effective implementation
of, and compliance with, the Convention;
4. Urges all States parties to provide the Secretary-General with
complete and timely information as required under article 7 of the Convention,
in order to promote transparency and compliance with the Convention;
5. Invites all States that have not ratified the Convention or
acceded to it to provide, on a voluntary basis, information to make global mine
action efforts more effective;
6. Renews its call upon all States and other relevant parties to work
together to promote, support and advance the care, rehabilitation and social and
economic reintegration of mine victims, mine risk education programmes, and the
removal of anti-personnel mines placed throughout the world and the assurance of
their destruction;
7. Invites and encourages all interested States, the United Nations,
other relevant international organizations or institutions, regional
organizations, the International Committee of the Red Cross and relevant
non-governmental organizations to participate in the programme of intersessional
work established at the First Meeting of States Parties to the Convention and
further developed at the Second, Third and Fourth Meetings of States Parties to
the Convention;
8. Requests the Secretary-General, in accordance with article 11,
paragraph 2, of the Convention, to undertake the preparations necessary to
convene the Fifth Meeting of States Parties to the Convention at Bangkok from 15
to 19 September 2003, and, on behalf of States parties and in accordance with
article 11, paragraph 4, of the Convention, to invite States not parties to the
Convention, as well as the United Nations, other relevant international
organizations or institutions, regional organizations, the International
Committee of the Red Cross and relevant non-governmental organizations to attend
the Meeting as observers;
9. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its fifty-eighth
session the item entitled "Implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition
of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-personnel Mines and on
Their Destruction".
[1] See
CD/1478. [2] See APLC/MSP.1/1999/1, part
II. [3] See APLC/MSP.2/2000/1, part
II. [4] See APLC/MSP.3/2001/1, part
II. [5] See APLC/MSP.4/2002/1, part
II.