Overview

Small States, Unique Challenges …

Of the 156 States that have ratified or acceded to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, 43 – or almost one-third of all States Parties – are small States. For many of these States Parties, being small presents certain unique challenges which can be summarised by the following question: How can State Parties with means limited by size comply with their AP Mine Ban Convention obligations and how can they actively participate in the multilateral implementation process?

While few small States Parties have reported stockpiled anti-personnel mines or areas containing anti-personnel mines, challenges related to the pursuit of the Convention’s aims remain. In accordance with its mandate, the Implementation Support Unit of the GICHD is giving special attention to assisting the small States Parties to the Convention in overcoming these challenges.

• Workshop on the role of the Caribbean Community in pursuing the aims of the Ottawa Convention, Trinidad and Tobago | 29-30 June 2006
  
  
• Towards a Mine-Free Pacific, Vanuatu Workshop | 3-4 May 2007
  
  
• North Pacific Regional Workshop on the Pursuit of the Aims of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, Palau | 15 August 2008
  
  
• Resources for Small States Parties

On 29-30 June 2006, Trinidad and Tobago convened the Workshop on the role of the Caribbean Community in pursuing the aims of the Ottawa Convention. Pictured above, from left to right, are the workshop’s Co-Chairs, Major Claude Bridgewater and Ms. Susan Gordon of Trinidad and Tobago, along with Mr. Neville Bissember Jr. of the CARICOM Secretariat.