Geneva, 2 December 2025
Delivered by Lucy Pinches,
Project Manager of the Mine Action Review.
Thank you, Madame President,
This joint statement is delivered on behalf of Norwegian People’s Aid, International Campaign to Ban Landmines, Mines Action Canada and Mine Action Review.
Since its adoption in 1997, the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC) has been a remarkable success. It has drastically reduced the use, production, and transfer of anti-personnel mines. Thirty-one previously affected States Parties are now mine-free; stockpiled anti-personnel mines have been destroyed in all but two States Parties; vast areas of land have been cleared and returned safe to local communities; and the numbers of victims has fallen dramatically compared to the epidemic-like levels of the 1990s. Twenty-eight years after the Convention’s adoption, the results are undeniable: this life-saving instrument works. The disappointing actions of a few States Parties do not diminish this achievement. The Convention remains as relevant and vital as ever, especially for mine-affected countries that know firsthand the devastating impact of these deadly weapons.
The year 2025 had been envisaged as a key milestone on the path to a mine-free world. Instead, we face the most serious threat to the Convention in its history. A State Party—Ukraine—has attempted to unlawfully suspend its obligations under the Convention.
There is, justifiably, a huge amount of goodwill and support for Ukraine as it faces Russian aggression, including the massive use of anti-personnel mines by Russia on Ukraine’s territory, which should be unequivocally condemned. Ukrainian civilians are already bearing the devastating consequences of these weapons. Precisely to prevent further suffering from these indiscriminate weapons, the Convention established a clear and absolute prohibition.
Regardless of the circumstances that led to Ukraine’s decision, we must be clear: Ukraine’s attempted suspension of its APMBC obligations is an illegal and unprecedented step that could have serious implications far beyond the APMBC if this Meeting of the States Parties does not address it in a principled manner, consistent with the Convention’s purpose and objectives. As agreed by the negotiating States, Article 1(1) applies under any circumstances – in peacetime and in armed conflict, irrespective of whether a State Party is a victim of aggression, the scale of aggression faced, or if the aggressor uses anti-personnel mines. Moreover, Article 19 makes clear the Convention does not permit any reservations. The wording of Article 1(1) and of Article 19 was taken directly from the 1992 Chemical Weapons Convention, to ensure their meaning is unequivocal and watertight.
To suggest otherwise would risk undermining not only this Convention but the integrity of all disarmament treaties, including the Chemical Weapons Convention. It risks paving the way towards a world where international obligations do not apply to all States Parties equally, where treaty obligations are abided by only when convenient, and eventually where they do not apply at all.
We therefore urge all States Parties: do not be complicit in dismantling what we have built together over nearly 30 years. The Twenty-Second Meeting of the States Parties this week is the moment for States Parties to stand up for what is right and lawful and to protect the Convention affirming clearly that suspensions are not permitted under any circumstances. This must be explicitly reflected in the final report of 22MSP by stating that “suspensions are not allowed”.
Silence or inaction at this critical moment would amount to complicity and a failure to uphold the Treaty that continues to save lives and shape a better and safer future for affected countries. The responsibility to defend and uphold the Convention at this critical point in its history lies with government representatives in this room and in capitals around the world. Do not allow the APMBC to be weakened under your watch.
Thank you.
