2025 Intersessional Meetings

Tuesday, 17 June 2025- 10:00 

H.E. Ms Tomiko Hichikawa, Ambassador of Japan to the Conference on Disarmament and President of the Twenty-Second Meeting of the States Parties (22MSP), H.E. Mr Julien Thöni, Ambassador of Switzerland to the Conference on Disarmament, H.E. Mr Tobias Privitelli, Director of the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD), and Mr. Tun Channareth delivered opening remarks.

The President of the 22MSP provided a general overview of the outcome documents of the Fifth Review Conference and the road ahead for the next five years. 

The Chair of the Committee on Victim Assistance, Burkina Faso, provided an overview of the key decisions of the Fifth Review Conference in relation to victim assistance and presented the Committee’s key observations on implementation by States Parties of their victim assistance commitments under Actions 30 to 39 of the SRAAP.  

Sri Lanka, as the Committee’s gender focal point, delivered remarks on gender equality in victim assistance. 

The following States Parties implementing victim assistance commitments offered updates on their efforts and challenges faced in the implementation of their commitments:

• Angola
• Burundi
• Cambodia
• Chad
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Ethiopia
• El Salvador
• Mali
• Senegal
• Colombia
• Somalia
• South Sudan
• Sri Lanka
• State of Palestine
• Sudan
• Tajikistan
• Thailand
• Türkiye
• Yemen
• Zimbabwe
• Algeria
• Ukraine
• Peru

The following other delegations shared views and information on matters related to victim assistance:

• Central African Republic
• Cameroon
• European Union
• Germany
• Austria
• Italy
• Canada
• ICBL
• UNICEF on behalf of the UN Inter-Agency Coordination Group on Mine Action
• PROTECTION
• International Humanitarian Law and Youth Initiative

The Chair of the Committee on Victim Assistance, Burkina Faso, delivered concluding remarks.

The Chair of the Committee on Article 5 Implementation, Thailand, provided an overview of key decisions of the Fifth Review Conference in relation to Article 5 and presented the Committee’s observations on implementation by States Parties of their mine clearance commitments under Actions 17 to 29 of the SRAAP. 

The United Kingdom, as the Committee’s gender focal point, delivered remarks on gender and diversity in the context of the Committee’s work.

Oman indicated having completed implementation of its Article 5 obligation.

Croatia provided an update on the status of implementation of Article 5 and indicated that it would be in a position to declare completion by its 1 March 2026 deadline.

Following these presentations, the floor was granted to delegations for updates. The following States Parties which have submitted or will submit requests for extension of their Article 5 deadlines for consideration at the 22MSP, presented highlights of their requests:

• Argentina
• Angola
• Burkina Faso
• Cambodia
• Colombia
• Democratic Republic of Congo
• Ecuador
• Ethiopia
• Nigeria
• Senegal
• South Sudan
• Tajikistan
• Türkiye
• Zimbabwe

The presentations from these States Parties were followed by comments from the following delegations:

• On the request submitted by Argentina: United Kingdom (right of reply), Argentina (right of reply). 

• On the request submitted by Angola: ICBL, Halo Trust and Mine Action Review. 

• On the request submitted by Burkina Faso: ICBL, Mine Action Review and Mali. 

• On the request submitted by Cambodia: ICBL, Mine Action Review and Halo Trust. 

• On the request submitted by Colombia: ICBL, Mine Action Review and Halo Trust

• On the request submitted by the Democratic Republic of the Congo: ICBL and Mine Action Review.

• On the request submitted by Ethiopia: ICBL, Halo Trust and Mine Action Review. 

• On the request submitted by Nigeria: ICBL and Mine Action Review. 

• On the request submitted by Senegal: Mine Action Review. 

• On the request submitted by South Sudan: ICBL and Mine Action Review. 

• On the request submitted by Tajikistan: Mine Action Review. 

• On the request submitted by Türkiye: ICBL and Mine Action Review. 

• On the request submitted by Zimbabwe: ICBL, Halo Trust and Mine Action Review. 

One State Party, Mali, indicated that it will submit a request for extension of its Article 5 deadline in 2026. 

The following delegations delivered statements of a general nature on the implementation of Article 5 or on the extension request process:  

• MAG

• Mine Action Review on behalf of the Gender and Diversity Working Group 

The floor was then given to States Parties which were requested to submit updated work plans in accordance with decisions on their extension requests. The following States Parties presented an overview of their updated work plans:

• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Chad
• Niger
• Ukraine 

The following States Parties implementing Article 5 presented updates on progress in meeting their deadlines:

• Sri Lanka
• Peru
• States of Palestine
• Serbia
• Somalia
• Sudan
• Thailand
• Yemen
• Mauritania

The following other delegations shared views on matters related to Article 5 implementation:

• Central African Republic
• European Union
• Ireland
• GICHD
• Mine Action Review
• ICBL
• UNDP on behalf of the UN Inter-Agency Coordination Group on Mine Action
• Switzerland
• NPA
• PROTECTION

Algeria, as the Committee’s focal point for mine risk education and reduction, delivered remarks on the importance of mine risk education and reduction efforts in relation to the implementation of Article 5.

Mine-affected States Parties presented on their progress and challenges in the implementation of mine risk education and reduction programmes: 

• Sudan
• Argentina
• Yemen

The following other delegations shared views on matters related to mine risk education and risk reduction under Article 5:

• ICBL

• UNMAS on behalf of the UN Inter-Agency Coordination Group on Mine Action

• International Humanitarian Law and Youth Initiative 

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

The Chair of the Committee on the Enhancement of Cooperation and Assistance, Denmark, provided an overview of key decisions of the Fifth Review Conference in relation to cooperation and assistance and presented the Committee’s observations on implementation by States Parties of their cooperation and assistance commitments under Actions 41 to 45 of the SRAAP. 

Cameroon, as the Committee’s gender focal point, delivered remarks on gender and diversity in cooperation and assistance efforts.

States Parties implementing key provisions of the Convention provided information on cooperation and assistance, including on their challenges and requirements for assistance: 

• Sudan
• Türkiye
• Algeria
• Cameroon
• Mali
• Burkina Faso
• Thailand

In addition, the following delegation submitted a written statement: 

• Cambodia

States Parties in a position to provide assistance provided information on their cooperation and assistance efforts under Article 6 of the Convention: 

• Norway
• Germany
• Australia
• Denmark
• Netherlands
• European Union
• Japan
• United Kingdom
• Peru
• France
• Spain
• Italy

In addition, the following delegation submitted a written statement: 

• Slovenia

The following other delegations shared views on matters related to cooperation and assistance: 

• Uruguay
• Brazil
• FAO on behalf of the UN Inter-Agency Coordination Group on Mine Action
• ARMAC
• GICHD
• Mauritania
• NPA
• HALO Trust
• NPA, on behalf of Environment in Mine Action (EIMA) Working Group
• ICBL on behalf of the Gender and Diversity Working Group

The Chair of the Committee on the Enhancement of Cooperation and Assistance delivered final remarks.

Thursday, 19 June 2025 - 15:00-16:00

The Chair of the Committee on Cooperative Compliance, Japan, provided an overview of key decisions of the Fifth Review Conference in relation to compliance, and presented key elements of the Committee’s observations on implementation by States Parties of their compliance commitments under Actions 46 to 48 of the SRAAP. 

Belgium, as the Committee’s gender focal point, delivered remarks on gender and diversity in the context of the work of the Committee on Cooperative Compliance.

The following States Parties with alleged or known non-compliance with the general obligations under Article 1 provided updates on their efforts to address these matters:

• Ukraine
• Sudan
• Yemen

The following other delegations took the floor to share views on matters related to cooperative compliance: 

• ICBL
• Mine Action Review
• NPA
• International Humanitarian Law and Youth Initiative

The following States Parties provided updates on matters related to Article 7 implementation: 

• Australia
• Cameroon

The following States Parties provided updates on matters related to Article 9 implementation: 

• Austria
• Cameroon

The following State Party provided a general update on its efforts to be in compliance with the Convention’s obligations. 

• Kuwait

The Chair of the Committee on Cooperative Compliance delivered final remarks. 

Thursday, 19 June 2025 - 16:00 – 17:00 

The Siem Reap-Angkor Action Plan acknowledges the challenges in financing mine action and commits both mine affected and donor States to collaborate and foster increased cooperation and assistance, including through exploring “all possible funding sources including conventional and alternative/innovative sources and mechanisms of funding such as front-loading models.”

The panel took stock of the global mine action funding situation and progress made in exploring new opportunities, including voluntary trust funds, innovative financial mechanisms and context specific funding modalities.

The discussion was moderated by Sofie Kallehauge, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of Denmark to the UN in Geneva and Chair of the Committee on the Enhancement of Cooperation and Assistance. 

The panel featured the following presentations: 

• Ruth Bottomely, Landmine Monitor, Lead Researcher on Support to Mine Action 

• H.E. Ly Panharith, Secretary General, Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority

• Camille Wallen, Symbio Impact Ltd, Co-Founder & Director 

• Andrew Griffiths, Head of Demining Team, Global Mine Action Programme (GMAP), Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

The following delegations shared views during the panel discussion: 

• Colombia
• Democratic Republic of the Congo

Thursday, 19 June 2025 - 17:00 – 18:00

The Siem Reap-Angkor Action Plan recognises that the implementation of the Convention contributes significantly to advancing other international framework and commitments such as those enshrined in the Women Peace and Security (WPS) agenda (UNSC 1325).

One of the priorities of the President of the Twenty-Second Meeting of the States Parties is to explore, together with States Parties and stakeholders, concrete approaches and initiatives to further enhance the synergies between the Convention’s implementation and the WPS agenda. The panel explored the links between the WPS agenda and the Convention as well as ways to strengthen synergies.

The discussion was moderated by Hana SALAMA, Researcher, Gender and Disarmament Programme, UNIDIR. 

The panel featured the following presentations: 

• Jean Munro,Advisor, Gender, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion, GICHD 

• H.E. Himalee Arunatilaka, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations

• H.E. Papa Maguèye DIOP, Director, National Mine Action Centre of Senegal (Centre National d'Action Antimines au Sénégal (CNAMS))

• H.E. Himalee Arunatilaka, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations, as Representative of the Convention’s Gender Focal Points 

The following delegations shared views during the panel discussion: 

• United Kingdom

• Japan

• Colombia

• ICRC

• International Humanitarian Law and Youth Initiative

• MAG

• DRC on behalf of the Gender and Diversity Working Group

• Thailand

The President invited Belgium to deliver a cross-regional joint statement on Gender, Diversity and the WPS Agenda.

The President provided an overview of key decisions of the Fifth Review Conference in relation to universalization, presented her activities in relation to implementation of the universalization commitments of the SRAAP (Actions 11 to 12) and the way forward. 

His Royal Highness Prince Mired Raad Zeid Al-Hussein of Jordan, the Convention’s Special Envoy for Universalization, addressed the Intersessional Meetings via video message.

Marshall Islands which deposited its instrument of ratification on 12 March 2025 and will become the 165th State Party to the Convention on 1 September 2025 took the floor.

Tonga, a State not party offered an update on the latest developments with regards to its efforts to accede to the Convention.

In addition, Australia took the floor on behalf of Asia-Pacific States.

The following States not party provided updates on efforts made to accede to the Convention or to further align themselves with the Convention:

• Republic of Korea
• Azerbaijan
• Lao PDR
• Armenia
• Azerbaijan (right of reply)
• Armenia (right of reply)

The President  provided an opportunity to take the floor to States Parties that have indicated their intention to withdraw from the Convention: 

• Estonia 

• Finland

• Latvia

• Lithuania

• Poland

The following other delegations shared views on matters related to universalization and/or withdrawal: 

• South Africa on behalf of the African Group
• Philippines
• Thailand
• Mexico on behalf of Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Peru, and Uruguay
• Zambia
• Switzerland
• Belgium
• Brazil
• Norway
• Türkiye
• Holy See
• Venezuela
• Japan
• Algeria
• Germany
• Spain
• Austria
• United Kingdom
• Colombia
• Ireland
• Panama
• New Zealand
• Canada
• Peru
• European Union

• Austria on behalf of Belgium, Cameroon, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Denmark, El Salvador, Ireland, Luxembourg, Mexico, Mozambique, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Panama, Peru, the Philippines, Portugal, Samoa, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, South Africa, Switzerland and Thailand and Austria

• Mauritania

• UNODA on behalf of the UN Inter-Agency Coordination Group on Mine Action

• ICRC and IFRC
• ICBL
• IPU
• NPA
• MAG
• PROTECTION

• Legacies of War and USCBL-CMC 

The following delegation submitted a written statement: Mine Action Fellows. 

The President provided an overview of key decisions of the Fifth Review Conference related to stockpile destruction and retained mines, and her activities concerning implementation of the stockpile destruction and retained mines commitments under Actions 13 to 16 of the SRAAP. 

The States Parties that have missed their Article 4 deadlines provided updates on the implementation of their stockpile destruction commitments in accordance with the SRAAP (Action 14): 

• Greece
• Ukraine

No State Party took the floor to provide information on the discovery of previously unknown stockpiled mines 

The following State Party which has indicated retaining anti-personnel mines for permitted purposes under Article 3 took the floor:

• Venezuela

The following other delegation shared views on matters of stockpile destruction and retained mines: 

• ICBL

The President provided an update on the establishment of a Working Group to support the implementation of Action 44 of the SRAAP and invited the Chair of the Working Group to offer an update on the status of the Working Group’s activities. 

• Norway, as Chair of the VTF Working Group

The following delegations shared views or comments: 

• ICBL
• NPA

In addition, the following delegation submitted a written statement: 

• Burkina Faso

The President provided an update on her activities and the way forward in relation to the selection process of the new ISU Director.  

The President of the Twenty-Second Meeting of the States Parties (22MSP) presented a draft agenda and programme of work for the 22MSP and provided an update on preparations for the 22MSP. 

• 22MSP draft provisional agenda
• 22MSP draft provisional programme of work

UNODA provided an update on financial and organisational matters related to the 22MSP:

• UNODA

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

• Australia, as Coordinator of the Sponsorship Programme

The President recalled the decision of the Fifth Review Conference to hold the Twenty-Third Meeting of the States Parties (23MSP) at the end of November beginning of December 2026 and proposed that the 23MSP be held on 30 November to 4 December 2026 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. 

The President further proposed that the next Intersessional Meetings be held on 15-18 June 2026.

The President informed that, on 17 March 2025, following her letter to solicit expressions of interest from States Parties wishing to fill the Committees positions, a sufficient number of expressions of interest was received. The President indicated that she will be working to develop a balanced proposal for presentation at the 22MSP informal meeting in September. 

The ISU Director provided an update on the ISU’s activities and finances.

The President presented an update on the outcomes of the 2025 Pledging Conference.

H.E. Ms ICHIKAWA Tomiko, Ambassador of Japan to the Conference on Disarmament and President of the Twenty-Second Meeting of the States Parties delivered closing remarks.