1st Session, 21st Meeting of State Parties to…

• 1. Official opening of the meeting

The meeting will be opened by the President of the Twenty-First Meeting of the States Parties (21MSP), H.E. Thomas Göbel, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Germany to the Conference on Disarmament.

• 2. Ceremonial opening of the meeting

A ceremonial opening will feature messages from

• H.E. Katja Keul, Minister of State at the German Federal Foreign Office,
• Ms. Izumi Nakamitsu, Under-Secretary-General, UN High Representative for Disarmament,
• Ms. Emilie Vath, Ambassador, Humanity and Inclusion on behalf of mine victims and survivors,
• H.R.H. Prince Mired Raad Zeid Al-Hussein of Jordan, Special Envoy on Universalization and Lord Chamberlain of the Hashemite Royal Court,
• H.E. Mr. Marc Pecsteen de Buytswerve, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Belgium to UNOG (on behalf of H.R.H. Princess Astrid of Belgium),
• Mr. Gilles Carbonnier, Vice-President of the International Committee of the Red Cross,
• Ms. Nimaya Dahanayake, a Youth fellow from Sri Lanka on behalf of the ICBL, and 
• Dr. Barbara Haering, President of the GICHD Council of Foundation.

The opening ceremony will feature a musical performance by the Nürnberg Symphony Orchestra (Nürnberger Symphoniker).

• 3. Adoption of the agenda

The Meeting will be asked to adopt its agenda as contained in document APLC/MSP.21/2023/1, which was presented to delegations at the 19-21 June 2023 Intersessional Meetings.

• 4. Election of the Vice-Presidents of the meeting and of other officers

The Meeting will be asked to elect the eight outgoing members of the Committees as Vice-Presidents of the 21MSP:

France, Iraq, Netherlands, Italy, Switzerland, Thailand, Türkiye, and Uganda.

• 5. Confirmation of the Secretary-General of the meeting

The Meeting will be asked to confirm the Ambassador of Switzerland H.E. Julien Thöni as Secretary-General of the 21MSP. Ambassador Thöni will be invited to offer remarks as representative of the host country and Secretary-General of the 21MSP.

• 6. Organisation of work

The Meeting will be asked to adopt its programme as contained in document APLC/MSP.21/2023/2, which was presented to delegations at the 19-21 June 2023 Intersessional Meetings.

• 7. Thematic panel - More effective cooperation between mine-affected and supporting States Parties: The Individualized Approach in context

  Background

  It has been long recognised that while each State Party is responsible for implementing the provisions of the Convention in areas under its jurisdiction or control and that enhanced cooperation can support accelerated implementation of Convention obligations. The States Parties have also long recognised that overcoming distinct and often unique circumstances faced by mine-affected States is key and that needs for cooperation and support vary according to national implementation contexts.

  These realisations led to the establishment of the Individualised Approach, which in its essence, offers a platform for affected States Parties to share information on their challenges in implementation and requirements for support. Furthermore, National Mine Action Platforms are meant to ensure regular dialogue between stakeholders and foster more systematic and long-term partnerships. The Individualised Approach is thus the first step in a comprehensive process encompassing National Mine Action Platforms and other forms of enhanced cooperation. What is clear is that mine-affected States and those in a position to provide assistance have an important role to play in the success of these approaches.

  As the 21MSP is the last formal opportunity to take stock of our collective efforts before the Fifth Review Conference, it offers an opportunity for more in-depth discussion on how the Individualised Approach and National Mine Action Platforms can succeed, determine where challenges for mine-affected States and donors lay, and which areas to consider when looking at more effective international cooperation. 

  The panel will seek to answer the following questions:

  • What are Individualised Approaches and National Mine Action Platforms? And what is their role in building partnerships?
  • What challenges do affected-States face, what are the ebbs and flows of partnerships and international support, and how could the Individualised Approach and National Mine Action Platforms help?
  • What are the necessary conditions – on the side of mine-affected State Parties and on the side of donor states – for partnerships to be successful?
  • What challenges do states have in establishing National Mine Action Platforms? Are there any best practices?
  • What should the Convention community do towards the Fifth Review Conference to ensure the strengthening of cooperation mechanisms beyond nice words on paper?

  Moderator – 21MSP President Ambassador Thomas Göbel

  • Thailand – Patawee Treekarunasawad, Minister-Counsellor

  Thailand will offer an overview of the need for an individualized approach and national mine action platforms as means to respond to the diverse and unique challenges faced by States Parties in their implementation efforts.

  • Angola  – Narciso Tiacafe, Head of Ops & Accreditation, National Mine Action Agency of Angola (ANAMA)

  Angola will offer information on the difficulties with the ebbs and flows of partnerships and how this challenges implementation.

  • Norway  – Camilla Dannevig, Senior Advisor for humanitarian disarmament, Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

  Norway will offer insights into their funding rationale and reflect on challenges for donor states.

  Participation

  Following the panel the moderator will invite comments from the audience.To prepare for this discussion delegations may wish to consider the following questions:

  • How can States in a position to provide assistance coordinate their resources towards successful implementation of the Convention and increased flexibility?
  • How can mechanisms for enhanced cooperation be used more efficiently and what should we consider in a future action plan to ensure that no mine-affected state is left behind?

  The moderator will close with some parting thoughts/suggestions on the road to the development of the new action plan and towards strengthening partnerships for completion.