Summary

The meeting was opened by the President of the Twenty-Second Meeting of the States Parties (22MSP), H.E. Ichikawa Tomiko, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Japan to the Conference on Disarmament.

A ceremonial opening featured addresses and messages delivered by high level representatives, including by or on behalf of organisations that historically played a role in the Convention:

• H.E. Motegi Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan,

• Mr. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, 

• Ms. Izumi Nakamitsu, Under-Secretary-General, UN High Representative for Disarmament,

• Her Royal Highness Princess Astrid of Belgium, Convention's Special Envoy, 

• His Royal Highness Prince Mired of Jordan, Convention's Special Envoy, 

• Ms. Emilie Vath, Ambassador, Humanity and Inclusion on behalf of mine victims and survivors,

• Dr. Alex Munyambabazi, Chairman and CEO of Amputee Self Help Network Uganda, member of the ICBL, on behalf of mine victims and survivors, 

• Mr. Gilles Carbonnier, Vice-President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, and

• Dr. Barbara Haering, President of the GICHD Council of Foundation.

The opening ceremony also provided the opportunity to welcome the two newest States Parties: the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Kingdom of Tonga

The States Parties adopted the agenda for the 22MSP.

In keeping with past practice, the eight outgoing members of the Committees were elected as Vice-Presidents of the 22MSP, namely: Burkina Faso, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Peru, Thailand, Türkiye and the United Kingdom. 

H.E. Julien Thöni, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the Conference on Disarmament was confirmed as Secretary-General of the 22MSP.

The States Parties adopted the programme of work for the 22MSP.

The following delegations delivered general statements:

States Parties: Algeria, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, Colombia, Côte d'Ivoire, Denmark, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Mali, Mexico on behalf of a group of countries, Mozambique, the Netherlands, Nicaragua, Oman, Palau (2x), Peru, Philippines, Senegal, Slovenia, State of Palestine, Sweden, Tajikistan, Venezuela and Zambia. 

States not party: Lebanon

In addition, Mine Action Fellows delivered a message to the 22MSP on behalf of the Youth. 

Requests submitted under Article 5

The following States Parties which had submitted requests for extensions of their Article 5 mine clearance deadlines presented their requests:

• Angola

• Argentina

• Burkina Faso

• Cambodia

• Colombia

• Democratic Republic of the Congo

• Ecuador

• Ethiopia

• Nigeria

• Senegal

• South Sudan

• Tajikistan

• Türkiye

• Zimbabwe

The Chair of the Committee on Article 5 Implementation introduced the analyses that had been prepared with respect to the requests submitted by Angola, Argentina, Burkina Faso, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Nigeria, South Sudan, Türkiye and Zimbabwe and the observations that had been prepared with respect to the requests submitted by Senegal and Tajikistan. 

A member of the Committee on Article 5 Implementation introduced the analysis that had been prepared with respect to the request submitted by Cambodia. 

Views were shared by the following delegations with respect to requests submitted by:

Argentina: United Kingdom (right of reply).

Cambodia: Thailand and the Mine Action Review. 

Colombia: OAS and the ICBL. 

Democratic Republic of the Congo: ICBL. 

Ecuador: Peru, OAS and NPA. 

Senegal: ICBL and Mine Action Review. 

Tajikistan: ICBL and Mine Action Review. 

The following States Parties that submitted a request replied to comments: Argentina (right of reply), Cambodia, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador and Senegal. 

In addition, the following delegation delivered a general statement on the Article 5 extension requests: MAG. 

The Chair of the Committee on Article 5 Implementation delivered final remarks.

The Chair of the Committee on Victim Assistance presented conclusions and recommendations related to the Committee’s mandate.

The Committee’s Gender Focal Point delivered remarks on gender and diversity in relation to victim assistance.

The following States Parties in the process of fulfilling their responsibilities to mine victims provided updates on steps they have taken to implement Actions #30 through #39 of the Siem Reap-Angkor Action Plan: Albania, Algeria, Angola, Burundi, Cambodia, Chad, Colombia, Croatia, DRC, Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, Iraq, Jordan, Mali, Mozambique, Peru, Serbia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Türkiye, Yemen, and Zimbabwe.

The following other delegations shared views or information on matters concerning victim assistance: European Union, Austria, Cameroon, Canada, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Panama, Zambia, ITF, ICBL and OHCHR on behalf of the UN Inter-Agency Coordination Group on Mine Action (IACG-MA).

The Chair of the Committee on Victim Assistance delivered his concluding remarks, and the incoming Chair of the Committee presented the Committee’s priorities for next year.

The Chair of the Committee on Article 5 Implementation presented conclusions and recommendations related to the Committee’s mandate.

The Committee’s Gender Focal Point delivered remarks on gender and diversity in relation to mine clearance.

The following State Party which declared completion in 2025 delivered a statement: Oman. 

• The following States Parties which are still in the process of clearing mined areas provided updates on steps taken to implement Actions 17 through 25 of the Siem Reap-Angkor Action Plan: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Chad, Croatia, Guinea Bissau, Iraq, Niger, Peru, Serbia, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Yemen, and Zimbabwe.

The following other delegations shared views or information on matters concerning Article 5: European Union, Austria, Cameroon, Hungary, Japan, Kuwait, Norway, Panama, Switzerland, GICHD, the Halo Trust, ICBL, Mine Action Review, NPA, OAS, UNICEF on behalf of the UN Inter-Agency Coordination Group on Mine Action (IACG-MA).

In addition the following delegations exercised their right of reply: Cambodia, Thailand, Cambodia (second right of reply) and Thailand (second right of reply).  

The Committee's Mine Risk Education and Reduction Focal Point delivered remarks on gender and diversity in relation to mine risk education and reduction. 

The following States Parties which are still in the process of clearing mined areas and are implementing mine risk education and risk reduction programmes provided updates on steps taken to implement Actions 26 through 28 of the Siem Reap-Angkor Action Plan: Sudan, Türkiye and Yemen. 

The following other delegations shared views or information on matters concerning mine risk education and risk reduction: Austria, Colombia, Somalia, ICBL and UNMAS on behalf of the UN Inter-Agency Coordination Group on Mine Action (IACG-MA).

The Chair of the Committee on Article 5 Implementation delivered his concluding remarks. The incoming Chair of the Committee presented the Committee’s priorities for next year.

The President provided an update on the implementation of Action 44 of the Siem Reap-Angkor Action Plan and invited the Chair of the Working Group to present the Working Group’s activities and progress made to explore the feasibility of establishing a voluntary trust fund.

• Voluntary Trust Fund Working Group's activities and progress report

The following delegations shared views on the voluntary trust fund: France, Norway, Türkiye, United Kingdom, ICBL, Mine Action Review, NPA and UNMAS on behalf of the UN Inter-Agency Coordination Group on Mine Action (IACG-MA).

The Chair of the Committee on the Enhancement of Cooperation and Assistance presented conclusions and recommendations related to the Committee’s mandate.

The Committee’s Gender Focal Point delivered remarks on gender and diversity in relation to cooperation and assistance.

The following States Parties implementing key provisions of the Convention commented on steps they have taken to implement Actions #40 through #45 of the Siem Reap-Angkor Action Plan: Cambodia, Iraq, Peru, Sudan, Thailand and Türkiye. 

The following States Parties in a position to provide assistance delivered statements: Australia, European Union, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Philippines, Slovenia, Spain, United Kingdom and Venezuela. 

The following other delegations delivered remarks: GICHD, the HALO Trust, ICBL, ICBL on behalf of the Gender and Diversity Working Group, MAG, Mine Action Review, NPA and Organisation of American States (OAS). 

The Chair of the Committee on the Enhancement of Cooperation and Assistance delivered her concluding remarks. The incoming Chair of the Committee presented the Committee’s priorities for next year.

The Chair of the Committee on Cooperative Compliance presented conclusions and recommendations related to the Committee’s mandate.

The Committee’s Gender Focal Point delivered remarks on gender and diversity in relation to compliance.

The following States Parties mentioned in the conclusions of the Committee on Cooperative Compliance provided an update on ongoing investigations or activities undertaken to ensure compliance in accordance with Actions #46 to #48 of the Siem Reap-Angkor Action Plan: Sudan, Yemen, Thailand and Cambodia. 

In addition, Thailand exercised its right of reply. 

Uruguay provided an update on Article 9 implementation. 

The following other delegations shared their views on compliance issues: Australia, Cameroon, Switzerland, ICBL and ICRC-IFRC (joint statement). 

The Chair of the Committee on Cooperative Compliance delivered his concluding remarks.

The President presented conclusions and recommendations on stockpile destruction.

The following State Party which is has missed its Article 4 deadline and is still in the process of destroying stockpiled anti-personnel mines, provided an update on its efforts to fulfil its stockpile destruction obligations: Greece.

The following delegation shared information in relation to anti-personnel mines retained for permitted purposes under Article 3: Zimbabwe. 

The following other delegation shared views or information on matters concerning stockpile destruction: ICBL.

The President provided an update on the status of universalization of the Convention. The following States not party shared views on the Convention and provided updates on steps being taken or considered to accede to the Convention: Azerbaijan, Armenia, Morocco, Lao PDR, Lebanon and the Republic of Korea. 

The following delegations from States Parties that have deposited instruments of withdrawals delivered remarks: Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. 

The following other delegations shared views or provided updates on efforts taken to encourage universal acceptance of the Convention: Algeria, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, France, Germany, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mauritania, Mexico on behalf of a group of countries, New Zealand, Norway, Palau on behalf of the Pacific States, Panama, Peru, South Africa on behalf of the African Group, South Africa, Spain, Sudan, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Thailand, United Kingdom, Zambia, ICBL, ICRC-IFRC (joint statement), IPU, Mine Action Review, NPA, the UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs on behalf of the UN Inter-Agency Coordination Group on Mine Action (IACG-MA). 

The following delegation exerted their right of reply: Armenia.

The President presented an overview of the status of transparency and the exchange of information.

The following delegations provided an update and shared views on transparency and the exchange of information: Australia, Panama and the ICBL.   

The ISU Director presented the ISU 2026 work plan and budget and the 22MSP adopted this document. In addition, the ISU Director presented the 2025 interim report on the activities and finances of the ISU and the ISU audited annual financial report for 2024. The 22MSP approved these documents.

The following delegation shared views on these matters: Switzerland, Spain and the Netherlands. 

The President presented an update on her activities regarding the selection process for the new ISU Director. 

The following delegation shared view with this matter: Mauritania. 

The 22MSP adopted the Draft Decision on the Selection Procedure for the Recruitment of a new ISU Director and the Vacancy Announcement for the position of ISU Director. 

The 22MSP considered a number of other matters concerning implementation support, including dates for the Intersessional Meetings in 2026, the new Committee members and the Convention's Sponsorship Programme.

The 22MSP agreed to hold the 2026 Intersessional Meetings on 15-18 June 2026 in Geneva.   

In keeping with his mandate, the 22MSP President consulted with States Parties to identify a list of nominees to serve as new Committee members following the 22MSP. The Meeting agreed on the following proposal:

• Committee on Article 5 Implementation: Algeria and Norway (until the end of the Twenty-Third Meeting of the States Parties), Bulgaria and Burkina Faso (until the end of the Twenty-Fourth Meeting of the States Parties);

• Committee on Victim Assistance: Autria and Sri Lanka (until the end of the Twenty-Third Meeting of the States Parties), El Salvador and Mozambique (until the end of the Twenty-Fourth Meeting of the States Parties);

• Committee on Enhancement of Cooperation and Assistance: Cameroon and Switzerland (until the end of the Twenty-Third Meeting of the States Parties), Slovenia and Thailand (until the end of the Twenty-Fourth Meeting of the States Parties);

• Committee on Cooperative Compliance: Belgium and Cambodia (until the end of the Twenty-Third Meeting of the States Parties), Mexico and the United Kingdom (until the end of the Twenty-Fourth Meeting of the States Parties).

In addition, Australia, in its capacity as Coordinator of the Sponsorship Programme provided an update on the Sponsorship Programme.

The panel discussed the key role of capacity building and ways to ensure that a sustainable capacity is in place even beyond completion of Article 5. The discussion aimed to identify opportunities for enhanced cooperation among governments, civil society, and international partners, and offered an opportunity for delegations to share their experience in implementing these actions of the Siem Reap-Angkor Action Plan.

The panel was moderated by the Chair of the Committee on the Enhancement of Cooperation and Assistance and featured presentations by the Director of Guinea Bissau's Mine Action Centre which offered an overview of their challenges and what has been done over the past few years to rebuild the capacity of Guinea Bissau to address its mine contamination and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on their efforts to support states through the exchange of lessons learned and best practices and by providing or facilitating exchanges between mine affected countries. 

The Director of the Zambian Mine Action Centre shared Zambia’s experience and some of the challenges encountered and successes and lessons learned. NPA shared their thoughts on capacity development and their experience in establishing close partnership with States Parties to, not only help them build their capacity, but also to sustain their capacities over the long term.  

The following delegations took the floor and provided comments: South Sudan, Portugal, UNMAS, Burundi, Türkiye and Tajikistan.

The status of assessed contributions was introduced by UNODA.

The following delegation shared views on matters related to the status of assessed contributions: Japan.

The meeting took decisions on the requests for extended mine clearance deadlines which were submitted by Angola, Argentina, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Senegal, South Sudan, Tajikistan, Türkiye and Zimbabwe. 

Decisions on the Article 5 extension request submitted by Angola

Decisions on the Article 5 extension request submitted by Argentina

Decisions on the Article 5 extension request submitted by Burkina Faso

Decisions on the Article 5 extension request submitted by Cambodia

Decisions on the Article 5 extension request submitted by Colombia

Decisions on the Article 5 extension request submitted by the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Decisions on the Article 5 extension request submitted by Ecuador

Decisions on the Article 5 extension request submitted by Ethiopia

Decisions on the Article 5 extension request submitted by Nigeria

Decisions on the Article 5 extension request submitted by Senegal

Decisions on the Article 5 extension request submitted by South Sudan

Decisions on the Article 5 extension request submitted by Tajikistan

Decisions on the Article 5 extension request submitted by Türkiye

Decisions on the Article 5 extension request submitted by Zimbabwe

The delegations of Angola, Cambodia, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Senegal, South Sudan, Tajikistan, Türkiye and Zimbabwe. 

The delegation of Thailand exercised its right of reply. 

No delegation took the floor under this agenda item.

UNODA provided an update on the activities of the Secretary-General of the United Nations under Article 8.2. 

The following delegations expressed their views: Thailand and Cambodia. 

The following delegations exercised their right of reply: Thailand (first right of reply), Cambodia (first right of reply), Thailand (second right of reply) and Cambodia (second right of reply). 

The 22MSP agreed to elect H.E. Christophe Payot, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Belgium to the United Nations Office and other International Organisations in Geneva, President of the Twenty-Fourth Meeting of the States Parties (24MSP).

The President of the Twenty-Fourth Meeting of the States Parties delivered initial remarks. 

The 22MSP agreed that the Convention’s Twenty-Third Meeting of the States Parties will take place in Geneva, Switzerland from 30 November to 4 December 2026.

The President of the Twenty-Third Meeting of the States Parties, H.E. Eunice M. Tembo Luambia, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Zambia to the United Nations and other International Organisations in Geneva, which was elected at the 21MSP,  took the floor to present her initial ideas and priorities for her presidency and the organisation of the Twenty-Third Meeting of the States Parties. 

The 22MSP adopted costs estimates for the Twenty-Fourth Meeting of the States Parties.

The delegation of Senegal took the floor under this item to request a clarification on the selection process for the new ISU Director.

The 22MSP considered and adopted its final report.

The delegation of New Zealand took the floor on behalf of Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, New Zealand and Panama following the adoption of the final report to place on record their concern that certain aspects raised by a majority of States Parties that spoke in the Plenary are not reflected in the final report.

The 21MSP President invited Mr Cristhian Melo, Legal Representative of the Colombian Federation of Associations of Survivors of Anti-Personnel Mines and other Explosive Ordnance to speak on the hopes of affected communities on the Road to the Fifth Review Conference. Mr Melo called on States Parties to foster inclusion of survivors and affected communities during the planning of a new action plan.

The 22MSP President delivered closing remarks.