Geneva, 1 May 2026 — The Republic of Lebanon is bringing renewed momentum, at a critical juncture, to the Convention on Anti-Personnel mines, adopted by more than 80% of the world’s states, reinforcing the collective commitment to ban the use, production, stockpiling, and transfer of anti-personnel mines, ensuring their destruction, and assisting the victims.
“In a period when some states have raised questions about their commitments under humanitarian disarmament treaties, Lebanon’s decision sends a clear and timely message: the protection of civilians must remain paramount, and the international rejection of anti-personnel mines must be upheld and reinforced—not weakened,” said H.E. Ambassador Eunice M. Tembo Luambia, Permanent Representative of Zambia to the United Nations in Geneva and President of the Convention.
Lebanon deposited its instrument of accession on 1 May 2026, marking a significant milestone in reinforcing the global norm against a weapon rejected for decades by the international community. This courageous and symbolic decision comes at a moment of heightened international insecurity, underscoring Lebanon’s commitment to collective security and humanitarian principles.
“This accession demonstrates that even in exceptional times, states can choose exceptional measures to strengthen, rather than abandon, the norms that protect humanity. Their decision is a powerful affirmation that the global stigma against anti-personnel mines endures and continues to grow.”
This new affiliation comes a year after the Republic of Marshall Islands and Tonga joined, sending a powerful message in a moment where the so-called most successful disarmament treaty faced withdrawals by five European States Parties.
“Anti-personnel mines have caused widespread and long-lasting humanitarian harm, disproportionately affecting civilians and hindering post-conflict recovery and development. Lebanon’s accession underscores the continued relevance and resilience of the Convention as a cornerstone of international humanitarian disarmament, “ said Juan Carlos Ruan, Director of the Convention’s Implementation Support Unit.
The Convention community looks forward to Lebanon’s active participation in its work moving forward. “I warmly welcome Lebanon and look forward to greeting its representatives at the upcoming Intersessional Meetings in Geneva this June,” added the Convention President.
Editorial note: The Convention was adopted in Oslo and signed in Ottawa in 1997, and entered into force twenty-seven years ago, on 1 March 1999. It is the prime humanitarian and disarmament treaty aimed at ending the suffering and casualties caused by anti-personnel mines by prohibiting their use, stockpiling, production, and transfer, ensuring their destruction, and assisting victims. Together, the States Parties have destroyed over 53 million anti-personnel mines. Implementation of the treaty has contributed to peace and development by making billions of square meters of land safe again for human activity and providing support to those that have fallen victim to the weapon.