VIENTIANE: Laos is hosting the Third Review Conference of the Convention on Cluster Munitions in Vientiane, bringing together delegations from more than 120 countries to strengthen global efforts to address cluster munitions.
The conference opened in Vientiane on Monday (Sept 14) and is chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavan Phomvihane, who also chairs the National Regulatory Authority for the UXO/Mine Action Sector.
Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone attended the opening, together with Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana.
In his opening remarks, Prime Minister Sonexay said Laos has made unexploded ordnance (UXO) clearance a top government priority by linking its international commitments with the National Socio-Economic Development Plan and Sustainable Development Goal 18, “Lives Safe from UXO”.
He said the conference would focus on turning political commitments into practical results, including safely returning cleared land to communities, strengthening support for victims and reducing casualties.
The meeting will also consider and adopt the Vientiane Capital Action Plan, which sets out practical priorities for safer and more effective UXO survey, clearance and risk education, sustainable victim assistance and stronger international cooperation.
The conference is particularly significant for Laos, which remains one of the countries most severely affected by cluster munitions.
By hosting the meeting, Laos is bringing its long experience in dealing with UXO to the international stage while encouraging continued global action to help affected communities live safely.
The conference provides an opportunity for participating countries to reaffirm their commitments and advance practical measures to address the humanitarian and development challenges posed by cluster munitions and other unexploded ordnance. - Vientiane Times/ANN
