Intersessional meetings of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention Geneva, 15-18 June 2026
Delivered by Dagmar Matúšů, Senior Policy Advisor, NPA.
Thank you, Madame President,
NPA warmly congratulates Lebanon for its accession to the Convention and for its courage, amid ongoing conflict on its own territory, to strengthen the global commitment to ban anti-personnel mines. This sends a powerful message that no exceptional circumstances can ever justify the use of these indiscriminate weapons. We also wish to congratulate Croatia for the completion of their Article 5 obligations.
The Convention remains one of the most universal humanitarian disarmament treaties that established a strong norm and stigma reaching far beyond States Parties alone. The progress achieved since its adoption nearly 30 years ago is undeniable, but it did not happen by itself, and it cannot be taken for granted. It is the sustained will and commitment of States, international organizations and civil society that made this progress possible, and that same collective determination is now urgently needed to safeguard what has been achieved and to ensure continued progress in fulfilling the Convention’s humanitarian objective to end the suffering caused by anti-personnel mines once and for all.
We are living in a time of growing prevalence of armed conflicts in which the rules and limits of war are being seriously challenged and undermined. Certain European States have withdrawn from humanitarian disarmament treaties; one attempted to illegally suspend this Convention, and these life-saving instruments continue to be under increasing strain. Now more than ever, the imperative to protect civilians must be at the forefront of our collective agenda. Because when humanitarian norms are abandoned, it is the civilians who bear the heaviest burden.
NPA is deeply concerned by the continued use and presence of anti-personnel mines and the increasing number of people killed and injured by these inhumane weapons. We strongly condemn the use of anti-personnel mines by States not Party, including the widespread use by Russia and Myanmar, and we urge all states that still remain outside the Convention to join without delay. Of equally grave concern are the reports of new planned production of anti-personnel mines in Europe - developments that threaten the very principles the Convention is built on. We therefore call on all States Parties to speak out clearly against such steps and to reaffirm, unequivocally, their commitment to the ban.
Madame President,
In light of the current global challenges, there is a pressing need for more states to take a clear stand in support of a rules-based order, humanitarian principles, and international humanitarian law. Even in the face of serious security threats, states must prioritize upholding norms that protect civilians and Lebanon's accession to the Convention stands as a clear demonstration that this is indeed possible.
As we just heard from Lebanon, its decision was not based on rhetoric but lived experience of the terrible consequences these weapons have on the ground. This is a stark reminder that the adherence to the Convention is not contingent on favorable time or circumstances - it matters most precisely when the stakes are highest.
As many delegations also stressed today, we all must strengthen our collective efforts to universalize the Convention, and it is essential that all States Parties do their utmost to consistently protect and promote the norm against anti-personnel mines in line with their obligations and the commitments they have undertaken.
Thank you.
