Side Events
Unless otherwise noted, all side events take place from 13:00 to 15:00 local time.
Monday 20 November 2023
Host: Germany, Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD)
Location: Building E, Room XXIV
The Convention Presidency, Germany, recognises that contamination by improvised explosive devices (IED) constitutes a major and ongoing challenge for many States Parties. This side event will provide a platform for participants to share lessons learned and best practices on IED response and disposal, including incorporating IMAS 09.31 into National mine action standards. Including; safety distances, use of personal protective equipment, qualifications, as well as challenges related to quality management, data collection and integration with existing databases, knowledge transfer, training, and resources.
Contact: s07-4(at)auswaertiges-amt.de
Host: Mines Advisory Group (MAG)
Location: Building A, Room VIII
This event will focus on Guinea Bissau, Mauritania and Senegal. States that have a long history of antipersonal landmine contamination. Despite the efforts made by these countries a number of challenges stand in the way of fulfilling their Convention obligations, including; the need for meaningful involvement of national institutions, the availability of financial, technical and human resources, and the necessity for adequate national financial and international assistance. Stakeholders and participants will be invited to share challenges and invite discussion on possible solutions.
Contact: riccardo.labianco(at)maginternational.org
Host: Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor | Building: H, Room 207-209
The Landmine Monitor editorial team will present key findings covering; mine ban policy, use, production, trade, and stockpiling; progress and remaining challenges in assessing and addressing the impact of mine contamination and casualties through clearance, risk education, and victim assistance; and global trends in mine action funding.
Contact: monitor(at)icblcmc.org
All participants of the Twenty-First Meeting of the States Parties are invited to a cocktail reception on the occasion of the 21MSP.
The reception will take place at the Restaurant of the International Committee of the Red Cross: 17 avenue de la Paix, 1202 Geneva.
The reception is being hosted by Germany, Switzerland, the Canton of Geneva, and City of Geneva.
Tuesday 21 November
Host: GICHD, UNIDIR and the Permanent Mission of Germany | Building: E, Room: XIX (Plenary)
This event will launch a new factsheet on “Gender and Diversity in the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention” and explore factors such as how age can influence the likelihood of becoming a landmine victim and the ability to access medical attention and long-term reintegration, risk education and mine awareness resources. Speakers will reflect on how these issues have translated into normative instruments guiding the implementation of the Convention through gender-related actions of the Oslo Action Plan. Panellists will also propose ideas on how to sustain these gains and consolidate gender mainstreaming in the next action plan.
Contact: gender-unidir(at)un.org
Host: Delegation of the European Union to the UN in Geneva | Building: E, Room: XXIV
Representatives from States Parties that have held national dialogues or that plan on doing so will present an update on their activities including on Article 5 Colombia, Ghana-ECOWAS, Sudan, Yemen, and Zimbabwe. In addition, the Special Envoy will inform on his universalization efforts under the project including those carried out in conjunction with the President. In addition, the Co-Chairs of the Third Victim Assistance Global Conference recently held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and Germany will present their final report. States Parties Iraq and Sudan will speak on the challenges and successes of their victim assistance dialogues. Civil society views on the EU project will also be presented. Interpretation to/from Arabic, French, and Spanish.
Contact: isu(at)apminebanconvention.org
Wednesday 22 November
Time: 09:00 – 09:55
Host: Mine Action Review | Building E, Room XXIV
This side event will discuss challenges and lessons learnt in Article 5 implementation since the Oslo Review Conference. Topics to be discussed include pros and cons of setting aspirational goals; why implementation must not only be timely but also inclusive and sustainable; funding and donor coordination; building national capacity now in order to tackle residual risk later, and the importance of upholding international law and norms.
Contact:lucyp(at)npaid.org
13:00 - 15:00
Host: Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining | Building: E, Room: XIX
This side event will focus on progress and opportunities to further mainstream climate change and environment in the Convention’s next five-year action plan. Of the Twenty countries most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, twelve are contaminated with explosive ordnance. While States Parties and mine action organisations increasingly recognise the linkages between climate change, environment, and mine action, much remains to be done to comprehensively integrate climate change and environmental considerations into the Convention’s implementation efforts. Panellists will highlight existing mine action initiatives that foster climate resilience, promote environmental protection, and enhance climate mitigation and adaptation.
Contact: c.mestre(at)gichd.org
Thursday 23 November
Host: Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) | Building E, Room XXVI -- kindly note the room change
Landmines and explosive remnants of war (LM/ERW) continue to pose a serious threat to the lives and livelihoods of people in Cambodia. Over 65,000 LM/ERW casualties have been recorded on the national database. This has a devastating impact on individuals, families, communities, and society as a whole. The private sector has a vital role to play in helping Cambodia achieve its goal of becoming a mine-free country by 2025. This event will share ways in which the private sector can make financial and in-kind contributions, partner with Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority and other mine action organisations, and advocate for mine action and raising awareness.
Contact: lypanharith(at)cmaa.gov.kh
Host: Mines Action Canada | Building A, Room IX
This side event will launch an update to the study, "Gender and Employment in Mine Action by the Numbers" completed in 2019. Panellists will share the findings of this year’s survey and offer a comparison to the data collected four years ago.
Contact: erin(at)minesactioncanada.org
Friday 24 November
Host: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Knowledge Platform Security and Rule of Law, Danish Refugee Council, Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining, The HALO Trust, Health and Social Care Organization, and the Mine Clearance Planning Agency. | Building E, Room XXIV
Building on the Oslo Action Plan principles of, ‘strong national ownership’ and ‘partnership, coordination and regular dialogue between stakeholders’, this side event will identify potential institutional obstacles as well as enabling factors to ensure locally led responses and national ownership in Humanitarian Mine Action.
Reflecting on localisation in two different States Parties: Iraq and Afghanistan, this side event aims to provide an open and constructive discussion on how mine action stakeholders can walk the talk on localisation. Partners will share preliminary findings of a learning journey that was undertaken over the past year to deepen their understanding of what localisation means in local contexts and what lessons can be drawn for the benefit of the mine action sector globally.
Contact: devisha.ramsoedh(at)minbuza.nl
Host: Small Arms Survey | Building A, Room IX
This side event will discuss the conclusions of a new report, ‘Out of Control: The Trafficking of IED Components and Commercial Explosives in West Africa.’ The use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in West Africa expanded dramatically in recent years and the human impact of these weapons is a critical dimension that requires increased focus. As of 2022, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Mali, Nigeria, and Niger were heavily affected by these weapons while Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, and Togo suffered from their use as an emerging threat. IED building networks have established material and training links across conflict theatres in West Africa and the Lake Chad Basin. Coordinated preventative action among affected, source and transit States is required to prevent unauthorised access to components used in IEDs. The Convention offers an opportunity to support affected States to better understand and report on the problem, mitigate risks to civilians, and raise awareness of the impact. Fulfilment of State Party obligations to clear anti-personnel minefields can also address one potential source of IED explosives and components.