Fifty-ninth General Assembly

Fourth Committee

18^th Meeting (AM)

Assistant Secretary-General stresses need for funds to reduce impact of landmines

as fourth committee takes up new item on assistance in mine action

Delegates Also Conclude Debate on Comprehensive Review of Peacekeeping Operations

(Issued on 29 October 2004.)

Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Hédi Annabi underscored in the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) this morning the importance of adequate and sustained funding to reduce the impact of anti-personnel landmines and explosive remnants of war on human lives and their socio-economic costs.

Introducing the Committee’s new agenda item “Assistance in mine action” for the first time –- it had previously had been dealt with in the General Assembly plenary -– he also emphasized the need to put in place and strengthen the national capacities of mine-affected countries.  The priorities of the past two years had included implementing a rapid response plan, building national and local capacity in more than 20 countries, and encouraging the integration of mine action into the planning and budgeting of financial institutions.  Last year, mine action had been an integral component of United Nations peacekeeping and peace-support operations in Afghanistan, Burundi, Cyprus, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea and Ethiopia, Iraq, Lebanon, Sudan and Kosovo.

He said that, over the past two years, there had been progress in integrating mine action into United Nations peacekeeping and mitigating the threat posed by mines and explosive remnants of war to civilian populations, humanitarian workers and peacekeeping personnel.  The tools and resources available to donors and policy makers had also been improved.  It was in the field, however, where people were most affected.  In Afghanistan, more than 8,000 local workers were clearing minefields, often in areas which put them at great risk.

In south Sudan, he continued, mine clearance had facilitated humanitarian assistance and, in the Temporary Security Zone between Ethiopia and Eritrea, clearance teams had enhanced the freedom of movement for peacekeepers and helped build confidence in the peace process among the local population.  In Lebanon, clearance activities in the south had been successfully completed and in Iraq, there had been an emergency survey of mine and explosive-remnants-of-war contamination, as well as priority disposal of explosive remnants of war.  A new programme had also been initiated in Burundi.

As responsibility for mine action rested primarily with the affected governments, he said, they should include mine action in their national development plans and budgets, as well as to integrate mine action early in reconstruction planning.  Also, international financial institutions should assist affected States to meet set targets.

He urged all Member States to send the highest possible level of representation to the Nairobi Summit on a Mine-Free World, to be held at the end of 2004, and welcomed the development of Protocol V to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons.  Upon its entry into force, that Protocol would form an important framework for post-conflict mine action.

In the ensuing debate, the representative of Afghanistan said that more than 100,000 people in his country had been disabled by mine accidents.  Landmines and unexploded ordnance also had a great impact on agriculture and posed a major impediment to post-conflict reconstruction efforts.  Some $500 million would be required to clear mines and unexploded ordnance by 2012, according to the Mine Action Strategic Plan.  Such an investment in mine action could generate $733 million through savings in health care and social welfare and through the restoration of productive land use.

While expressing appreciation for mine-action efforts by the United Nations, non-governmental organizations and the international community, he said that the Government of Afghanistan wished to have a greater role in coordinating and managing mine-action activities, which should be considered as an important component of humanitarian and development assistance to mine-affected countries.

The representative of the Netherlands speaking on behalf of the European Union and associated States, called on partners in mine action to strengthen cooperation and coordination to build national capacity, increase national ownership and explore ways to mainstream the landmine and unexploded ordnance issue into the national development plans of mine-affected countries.  It was regrettable that, no consensus could be reached this year on a draft resolution regarding that issue, he added.

In other business this morning, the Committee concluded its comprehensive review of the whole question of peacekeeping operations in all their aspects.

Mr. Annabi noted in closing remarks on the subject that the debate had raised important issues, including the need to strengthen rapid deployment; reimbursement to troop-contributing countries; the safety and security of peacekeeping personnel; integrated planning; the need to strengthen cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations; training; partnership with the Bretton Woods institutions; gender mainstreaming; and further development of dialogue and cooperation among troop-contributing countries, the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) and the Security Council.

During the debate on assistance on mine action, the Committee heard statements by representatives of Mali, Peru, Japan, Norway and Switzerland.

Speaking during the discussion of peacekeeping operations were representatives of Guyana, Eritrea, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Ecuador, Côte d’Ivoire, Bolivia, Namibia, Zambia, Russian Federation, Ethiopia and Romania.

The Fourth Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. Friday, 29 October, to conclude its debate on mine action.

Background

The Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) met this morning to conclude its comprehensive review of the whole question of peacekeeping operations in all their aspects.  It was also expected to take up a new agenda item, “Assistance in mine action”, which it will consider biennially.

For its consideration of that item this morning, the Committee had before it the report of the Secretary-General on Assistance in mine action (document A/59/284), which focuses on progress achieved from mid-August 2003 to mid-August 2004 in implementing the six strategic goals and 48 objectives of the revised United Nations mine-action strategy for 2001-2005, as contained in document A/58/260 and Add.1.

On the first goal –- “Information is produced and made available to all to understand and address mine-action problems” -– the Secretary-General reports that information is regularly gathered for United Nations mine-action programmes by the “Information Management System for Mine Action” software (IMSMA).  The Mine Action Service (UNMAS, the focal point for United Nations mine action) continued its work on developing the “Electronic Mine Information Network” (e-Mine).

Regarding the second goal -– “Mine action is effectively coordinated and implemented in United Nations-managed programmes and planning processes” -– the report states that the United Nations mine-action rapid response plan was developed in 2002 as a mechanism to enable coordinated and rapid deployment of mine-action assets to support the delivery of humanitarian relief or peacekeeping operations.  The Inter-Agency Coordination Group for Mine Action activated the plan in January 2003.  The UNMAS is responsible for the overall coordination of United Nations mine action, which is undertaken by 13 departments, programmes, funds and agencies.  The Steering Committee on Mine Action brings together members of the Inter-Agency Coordination Group and representatives of various groups, including the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).  The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is the lead agency for mine-risk education.

On the third goal -– “National and local authorities effectively plan, coordinate and implement mine-action programmes” -– the report notes that the primary responsibility for managing mine-action programmes lies with national and local authorities.  It lists several United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and UNICEF programmes of support that are available to help national authorities establish institutional structures to address the mine threat with maximum efficiency over the long term.

Addressing goal four –- “Mine action operations are implemented to the highest attainable standard” –- the report states that each international mine action standard is reviewed at least once every three years.  The UNMAS drafted new standards on issuing contracts and on mechanical mine clearance, as well as chairing the International Mine Action Standards Review Board.  The UNICEF developed systematic evaluation methodologies and the Department for Disarmament Affairs continually promoted the links between gender and mine-action issues.

Concerning the fifth goal –- “Adequate resources for mine action are mobilized and their use is effectively coordinated” –- the report lists the various funding modalities for United Nations mine action, including the Voluntary Trust Fund for Assistance in Mine Action, and the Adopt-A-Minefield campaign of the United Nations Association of the United States.  Funds for mine-action projects are also raised as part of the consolidated appeals process.

Regarding the sixth goal –- “Universal adherence to and compliance with all international instruments and/or commitments that address landmine and/or unexploded ordnance problems and/or that advance the rights of affected persons” -– the report points out that United Nations mine-action partners participated in the Anti-personnel Mine Ban Treaty’s fifth Meeting of States Parties in Bangkok in September 2003.  The Nairobi Summit on a Mine-Free World, to be held from 29 November to 3 December 2004, will review progress achieved in implementing the treaty, as well as the adoption of an action plan to fulfil the treaty’s aims.

The report contains recommendations relating to implementation of the United Nations mine-action strategy for 2001-2005, activation of the rapid response plan, strengthening of national capacity, encouragement of international financial institutions to support mine action, and encouragement of high-level participation in the Nairobi Summit on a Mine-Free World.

The Committee also had before it the report of the Secretary-General on Eliminating the threat of landmines and explosive remnants of war:  United Nations advocacy strategy for 2004-2005 (document A/59/284/add.1), which contains seven strategic goals of an advocacy strategy drafted by United Nations mine-action partners.  The seven goals are:

1.  All States take legislative, political and financial steps to combat the effects of landmines and explosive remnants of war;

2.  The general public is aware of all aspects of the landmine and explosive remnants of war problem and of strategies that have been developed to combat the problem;

3.  Donors are aware of funding requirements to combat the problem of landmines and explosive remnants of war and respond with adequate funding;

4.  Armed non-State actors adhere to and comply with commitments and obligations to halt immediately and unconditionally new deployments of anti-personnel mines and to comply with relevant international human rights and humanitarian norms and standards;

5.  Mine action is integrated into humanitarian, peacekeeping and development programmes, plans and budgets;

6.  National mine-action organizations incorporate the key principles of United Nations mine-action strategy into their own policies and programmes; and

7.  Mine action is addressed on the agendas and in the programmes of relevant regional organizations.

NADIRA MANGRAY (Guyana) commended the staff of all current peacekeeping operations and expressed her strong support for efforts to ensure their safety.  Success in peacekeeping and peace-building demanded the commitment of adequate human and financial resources, to allow a strategic direction for the next five years.  The limitations of United Nations peacekeeping could be offset in some part by the contributions of regional organizations; it was a matter of political and diplomatic judgement to determine the exact measure of cooperation required to bring about success in such mutual endeavours.

At the very minimum, she said, regional organizations should be able to create an extensive network of intelligence-gathering that could provide an early-warning system for the prevention of conflict.  For such arrangements to be effective, however, they must be supported by the countries concerned.  Regarding other areas, Guyana supported ongoing efforts to enhance the role of women in peacekeeping and an integrated approach to human security that prioritized development and coordination among all actors.

AMARE TEKLE (Eritrea), associating himself with the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), said his country was disposed to support any kind of cooperation between regional organizations and the United Nations system.  However, some organizations had political, financial, philosophical or related problems that could cause a given situation to degenerate or freeze an unjust status quo.  It must always be remembered, therefore, that in the final analysis, issues of peace and security were the responsibility of the Security Council.

He said it was also imperative, for peacekeeping operations to observe the principles of the United Nations Charter, especially those relating to equality, sovereignty and territorial integrity of States.  It was also essential to adhere to the limited mandate of a peacekeeping mission, to observe the legal arrangements between the host State and that mission, to refrain from any action that would be incompatible with impartiality, and to respect local laws, cultures and traditions.  In addition, any acts of misconduct must be dealt with swiftly, and the rule of law must be paramount.  Eritrea paid tribute to peacekeepers around the world, and would spare no effort to guarantee their safety and well-being within its territory.

AHMAD SHABERY CHEEK (Malaysia), associating himself with the NAM, said his country had participated in 17 peacekeeping missions, as well as in United Nations-sanctioned multinational forces.  Malaysia emphasized the central role of the United Nations in the maintenance of international peace and security, as well as the importance of multilateralism in the resolution of conflict.  The United Nations must continue to have clear, realistic and achievable mandates for peacekeeping operations, and to make regular assessments of the size, mandate and structure of the operations.  The Joint Mission Analysis Cell must be fully optimized to reinforce the DPKO’s intelligence capacity and the Department must be strengthened and adequately staffed, taking into account the principle of equitable geographical representation.

Noting that the main troop contributors were developing countries, he said the number of troops from Western nations averaged less than 600.  Countries that had well-equipped military forces should participate actively in peacekeeping operations by contributing more troops.  As peacekeeping had become increasingly multidimensional, it was important that any attempt at resolving conflict pay serious attention to the root causes, including abject poverty, illiteracy, lack of good governance and other problems related to underdevelopment.  In addition, outstanding contributions to peacekeeping as of July stood at $2.5 billion.  Member States must fulfil their financial obligations toward United Nations peacekeeping, and the Organization should explore new and innovative ways to raise funds for peacekeeping.

RUBERT JAYASINGE (Sri Lanka) said that the DPKO continued to face difficulties when called upon for rapid deployment in crisis situations.  The mere existence of Strategic Reserve Units could deter spoilers and make risk management easier.  A recommendation to have pre-trained and well-equipped strategic reserve units should, therefore, receive favourable consideration.  Recently, Sri Lanka had established a Peace Support Training Institute to train members of its armed forces for peace support operations.  A seminar on non-lethal weapons had been conducted at that facility in August and the same facility had been used to train 750 military personnel presently deployed in Haiti.

He said that the current 17 peacekeeping operations and new missions on the horizon would place further strain on the DPKO, requiring additional financial contributions and human resources from Member States.  The Security Council had to be satisfied that, when a mission was mandated, it could be adequately supported.  Good progress had been made in coordination with regional organizations, particularly with the European Union and the African Union.  Close coordination and cooperation with regional and subregional bodies was necessary to ensure complementary capacities and approaches before, during and after the deployment of peacekeeping missions.

EDUARDO CALDERON (Ecuador) said that, in order to confront the complexity of peacekeeping, it was necessary to continue the basic reform of administrative capacity in the DPKO and to ensure the timely and full contributions of developed countries.  Ecuador’s guidelines for its foreign policy followed the United Nations Charter, emphasizing peaceful solutions to conflicts and the primacy of international law.  As such, the country greatly valued the role of the United Nations in maintaining peace and security.  Security and development should be promoted in parallel the root causes of conflict must be addressed, alongside the range of post-conflict problems.

He said that reimbursement to troop-contributing countries should be processed rapidly, and financial commitments met by Member States.  Ecuador was increasing its participation in peacekeeping operations and was prepared to contribute in many ways to worldwide peace and security.

GUILLAUME BAILLAY-NIAGRI (Côte d’Ivoire), welcoming the role of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in his country, said that, despite the Ivorian crisis, there was a great effort to inform the population of the role of peacekeepers in order to enhance their safety and security.  With respect to recruitment, local expertise was important in any given mission.

The “Blue Helmets” were working closely with military contingents on all sides in his country, he said, adding that there was a real desire by all parties to bring about peace.  While all those helping to stabilize the situation, including France, ECOWAS, United Nations, United States and others were to be commended, peacekeeping operations must also ensure there was a disarmament process and that frontiers were safeguarded.  Therefore, there must be coordination between all peacekeeping operations in a region.

ERWIN ORTIZ-GANDARILLAS (Bolivia), associating himself with the Rio Group and NAM, said that demand for peacekeeping operations exceeded the capacity of the United Nations system, which could result in neglect of some conflict situations.  That was where the common citizen of the world would wonder what the United Nations was doing.  Few were aware of the tremendous efforts the Organization was making.  The question was whether the United Nations peacekeeping system could continue to carry out its operations as presently visualized in a multidimensional manner while, at the same time, confronting the need for more operations.  The future of peacekeeping would hinge on the quality of the response.

He urged the use of a different logic in addressing the current problems.  Instead of the logic of a world with numerous conflicts, the perspective of a world at peace should be used, and mechanisms to achieve peace should be devised according to that perspective.  The root causes of conflicts, be they socio-economic, racial or religious, should be examined.  Instruments should be oriented towards preventing conflict.  In that regard, negotiators in pre-conflict situations should be able to offer all the assistance that was currently offered in post-conflict situations.  Peacekeeping must be strengthened but, at the same time, negotiators should be given the power to prevent conflict.

JULIUS ZAYA SHIWEVA (Namibia) said that, in meeting the immense new challenges of peacekeeping, resources must be pulled together and innovative ideas sought.  The United Nations must work harder with a range of partners in peacekeeping, peacemaking and peace-building.  As a troop-contributing country, Namibia was convinced that enhancement and support of regional peacekeeping capacity was crucial, especially in Africa.  The country welcomed the support that had already been given to regional capacity and he called for increased support for the African Union mission in Darfur.   As a member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Namibia strongly supported that organization’s Organ on Politics, Defence and Security.

Regarding, rapid deployment, further assistance to developing countries was necessary, and pre-deployment training was important he said.  Gender balance was necessary in the recruitment of civilian personnel and Namibia looked forward to the coming gender resource package for peacekeeping.  It also welcomed efforts to ensure the protection of children in armed conflict, and requested special attention to the plight of child soldiers.  Hopefully, the Working Group on contingent-owned equipment would reach consensus on reimbursement rates soon, and the reimbursement to troop-contributing countries would continue to improve.

MWELWA MUSAMBACHIME (Zambia), associating himself with NAM, commended the DPKO for its recent successes in the areas of staffing, establishment of Strategic Deployment Stocks and coordination with regional organizations such as the African Union and the European Union.  Progress in Africa toward the maintenance of peace could only be sustained if the international community continued to render financial and capacity-building support to enable subregions to establish the necessary strategic reserves for rapid deployment within and outside the continent.

The Zambian Government stood ready to support the Department in all its programmes relating to civilian police and civilian staff, he said.  In addition, the pre-mandate commitment authority should be strengthened by making sufficient funds available and by regularly replenishing the Strategic Deployment Stocks.  Zambia welcomed the concept of the United Nations-donor equipment financing for developing countries.

KONSTANTIN K. DOLGOV (Russian Federation) said that last year had seen numerous successful peacekeeping operations, but many regional conflicts had not been ended, such as those in the Middle East.  Continued efforts must be made to ensure common standards for protecting human rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Afghanistan and other conflict zones.  Military force sanctioned by the Security Council should be used only in extreme circumstances.  Experience had demonstrated that a close link between establishing peace and social rehabilitation and coordination between the military and humanitarian elements was important.  Improving, under Chapter VIII of the United Nations Charter, cooperation between the Organization and regional and subregional bodies was also important.

He said there was a need to improve the planning of missions, as well as cooperation in the field with other forces.  One of the most important criteria in planning was ensuring security for peacekeeping personnel.  Mandates should reflect the specific situation of a crisis and missions should have the qualified personnel.  Civilian police and civilian assistance were intrinsic elements for ensuring law and order and strengthening civilian government structures.  Exit strategies should also be considered.  The Council, together with troop-contributing countries, must continue to assess the situation in the field in order to adapt the structure and mandate of a mission.

SEIFESELASSIE KIDANE (Ethiopia), associating himself with NAM, noted that his country was familiar with both sides of peacekeeping, having contributed over 3,400 troops to United Nations operations and being co-host to the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE).  Peacekeeping missions were increasingly complex and the security of peacekeepers, humanitarian workers and associated personnel had become a vital concern for which, at minimum, the necessary legal protections should be applied.

Given the multiple challenges of peacekeeping, non-military personnel and regional organizations had become extremely important, he said.  Ethiopia attached great importance to cooperation between the United Nations and the African Union, and encouraged its transformation into comprehensive and sustained capacity-building.  Training for troops under United Nations command should also be expanded.  Ethiopia paid tribute to those who had made the ultimate sacrifice for the cause of peace and reiterated its unwavering support for United Nations peacekeeping operations.

MIHNEA MOTOC (Romania), associating himself with the Netherlands on behalf of the European Union, said that multilateral mechanisms in the field of peacekeeping should continue to be adapted in order to respond more effectively to current threats and challenges.  As a member of the Security Council, a neighbour to conflict and a troop-contributing country, Romania was deeply committed to the United Nations role in peacekeeping.  However, participation in its missions, especially those outside a country’s region, often came at considerable human, political and financial cost.  For that reason, such contributions should be acknowledged in the political arena, as well as measured, registered and integrated through a wider and fairer assessment in the United Nations system.

In that light, he said that countries contributing funds and troops, countries bordering a given conflict and other stakeholders in a peacekeeping mission should be given a greater say in decision-making regarding peacekeeping operations.  Cooperation between the Security Council, the Secretariat and the troop-contributing countries needed to be further strengthened as well.  In that regard, Romania looked forward to the report of the High-Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change.

Closing Remarks by Assistant Secretary-General

HEDI ANNABI, Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, said in closing remarks that Under-Secretary-General Jean-Marie Guéhenno had described new challenges, such as the rising demand for peacekeeping and the need for rapid deployment.  Note had been taken of the important issues raised during the general debate, including the need to strengthen rapid deployment; reimbursement to troop-contributing countries; the safety and security of peacekeeping personnel; integrated planning; the need to strengthen cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations; training; partnership with the Bretton Woods institutions; gender mainstreaming; and further development of dialogue and cooperation between troop-contributing countries, the DPKO and the Security Council.

He said that a new proposal regarding strategic reserves would be further elaborated in the report to the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations.  In response to questions, he said that, under that proposal, pre-selected units would be held in the necessary state of readiness under the national commands of the respective troop-contributing countries.  Once deployed, they would come under United Nations command.

Assistance in Mine Action

Mr. ANNABI, introducing the item on assistance in mine action, noted that it was the first time he had addressed the Fourth Committee on that subject, which had previously been dealt with in the General Assembly plenary.  The forum offered a welcome opportunity to reflect more fully on the Secretary-General’s report on the subject, alongside the lessons of the past year and the challenges for the future.

In the past two years, he said, there had been progress in integrating mine action into United Nations peacekeeping and in mitigating the threat of mines and explosive remnants of war to civilian populations, humanitarian workers and peacekeeping personnel.  Last year, mine action had been an integral component of United Nations peacekeeping and peace support operations in Afghanistan, Burundi, Cyprus, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea and Ethiopia, Iraq, Lebanon, Sudan and Kosovo.  The priorities of the past two years had included implementing a rapid response plan, building national and local capacity in more than 20 countries and encouraging the integration of mine action into the planning and budgeting exercises of financial institutions.  The tools and resources available to donors and policy makers had also been improved.

He said that it was in the field, however, where people were most affected.  In Afghanistan, over 8,000 local workers were clearing minefields and battle areas, clearing roads in advance of construction, conducting risk-reduction education and providing survivor assistance, often in areas that put those involved at great risk.  With the assistance of all partners, steps were now under way to fully transfer responsibility for mine action from the United Nations to the Government, while ensuring the programme remained effective.

In south Sudan, he said, mine clearance had facilitated humanitarian assistance, and in the Temporary Security Zone between Ethiopia and Eritrea clearance teams had enhanced freedom of movement for peacekeepers and helped build confidence among the local population in the peace process.  In Lebanon, clearance activities in the south had been successfully completed and in Iraq an emergency survey of mine and explosive-remnants-of-war contamination, as well as their priority disposal had been overseen.  A new programme had also been initiated in Burundi.

Regarding the way ahead, he drew attention to the recommendations for action provided in the Secretary-General’s report.  Member States should continue to support implementation of the five-year strategy.  The rapid response plan should be further integrated into planning processes for United Nations operations, a purpose for which more resources were required.

He said Member States should continue their support for the strengthening of national capacities to address the problem posed by mines and explosive remnants of war.  As responsibility for mine action rested first with the affected governments, they should include mine action in their national development plans and budgets.  International financial institutions should assist affected States to meet targets and advance the Millennium Development Goals.  It was important to integrate mine action early in the reconstruction planning phases.  The Mine Action Programme in Afghanistan, managed by the United Nations, was working closely with the World Bank and other national, regional and local agencies.  The related costs had been integrated into the reconstruction project budgets and the economic rate of return related to that type of mine action had increased exponentially.

Urging donor countries to refer to the Portfolio of Mine Action Projects, a unique reference tool that allowed donors to assess country needs in a clear and standardized format, he said that the 2005 Portfolio constituted an appeal of $295 million in 30 countries and three territories, comprising a total of 303 projects.  It highlighted the needs of countries that were both States parties and non-States parties to the Mine Ban Convention.  He urged that all Member States be represented at the Nairobi Summit on a Mine-Free World at the highest possible level, and welcomed the development of Protocol V to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons.  When it entered into force, that Protocol would form an important framework for post-conflict mine action.

In conclusion he said there was a need to ensure that adequate and sustained mine-action funds were mobilized and used to reduce the impact of mines and explosive remnants of war on human lives and on the socio-economic fabric of affected countries.  National capacities must be put in place and strengthened in affected countries.

Statements

RAVAN FARHADI (Afghanistan) said his country ranked very high on the list of countries most heavily contaminated by landmines.  Mine-related death or injuries stood at an estimated rate of 100 a month and more than 100,000 people had been disabled by mine accidents.  Landmines and unexploded ordnance also had a great impact on agriculture and posed a major impediment to post-conflict reconstruction efforts.  In 2003, estimated 1,350 square kilometres had been contaminated by landmines and unexploded ordnance, complicating the return of refugees and internally displaced persons.  Afghanistan had become a party to the Treaty on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and their Destruction, also known as the Ottawa Treaty, and had established the Mine Action Consultative Group (MACG) in 2003.

He said that some $500 million would be required to clear mines and unexploded ordnance by 2012, according to the Mine Action Strategic Plan.  By achieving that target, an estimated 12,000 victims could be prevented from being killed or injured.  Such an investment in mine action could also generate $733 million through savings in health care and social welfare and through the return of land to productive use.  While appreciating efforts by the United Nations, non-governmental organizations and the international community, the Government of Afghanistan would like a greater role in the coordination and management of mine-action activities.  Mine action should be considered an important component of any humanitarian and development assistance to mine-affected countries.

YOUSSOUF KONE (Mali) said that the topic at hand was a major issue for Africa and for disarmament in general.  Anti-personnel mines continued to pose a serious threat to communities around the world and were a serious hindrance to development.  Hopefully, the outcome of the upcoming summit on mines would reflect the concerns of the African continent.

He said his country was not affected by mines and had voluntarily destroyed its stockpiles in compliance with the relevant conventions.  Mali welcomed efforts by the United Nations to eliminate mines, which should be sustained and strengthened.

VITALIANO GALLARDO (Peru) said his country had worked against mines for many years because of their devastating effect in a range of areas, and hoped that more countries would become parties to the Ottawa Protocol.  Peru had developed technologies for the removal of mines and could help others.  Its joint mine-clearance activities along the border with Ecuador were an unprecedented confidence-building measure that required further assistance from the international community.

ARJAN PAUL HAMBURGER (Netherlands), speaking on behalf of the European Union and associated States, said that anti-personnel landmines and explosive remnants of war inflicted death and injury around the world, causing serious social and economic consequences.  Although resources for mine action had increased in recent years, there was a clear need to mobilize additional resources and to secure their best possible use.  The 2004 Nairobi Summit on a Mine-Free World represented an opportunity to assess progress and to review honestly the critical issues that remained.

He said that more than ever before, partners in mine action would strengthen cooperation and coordination to build on national capacity, increase national ownership and explore ways to mainstream the landmine and unexploded ordnance issue into the national developments plans of mine-affected countries.  The ultimate goal was to come up with the best possible response to the needs of mine affected communities around the world.  The European Union had led a series of informal consultations on a draft resolution on that issue.  As no consensus could be achieved on a number of points, it would introduce a decision that would defer the item to next year.  Keeping in mind that the ultimate goal of the resolution was the relief of human suffering caused by mines and explosive remnants of war, it was even more disappointing that no common ground could be found.

The European Union believed firmly in a constructive dialogue between the United Nations Secretariat and MemberStates, he said.  Deriving from that dialogue, the Secretary-General had the mandate to organize the Organization’s coordination and response to the mine problem.  Interventions in mine action by the United Nations and others could only be effective by respecting that mandate, while recognizing the need for ownership and leadership by mine-affected countries.

YASUSHI TAKASE (Japan) also expressed regret that no consensus could be reached on a draft resolution.  Given the fact that landmines suddenly and brutally deprived innocent citizens of their lives and created tremendous obstacles to post-conflict development, mine-related cooperation was imperative from the perspective of human security.  Without addressing the threat that landmines posed, talking about peace and reconstruction would be nothing but “pie in the sky”.  This year marked the fifth anniversary of the Ottawa Convention’s entry into force and it should be universalized and further implemented.

He said his country had provided aid to more than 30 affected countries and areas.  Since Japan’s accession to the Ottawa Convention in 1998, its contributions had reached a total of $147 million.  Its voluntary contribution to the Voluntary Trust Fund of UNMAS since 1995 now stood at almost $27.8 million.  In Afghanistan, Japan was playing a major role in assisting mine action as part of a reconstruction programme called the Ogata Initiative, as well as in disarmament, demobilization and reintegration.  Cambodia was another country in which Japan regarded support for mine action as important.  In addition to its financial contributions, Japan had been striving to enhance dialogue with mine action partners, including non-governmental organizations and other donors and international organizations, through seminars and conferences.

WEGGER STRØMMEN (Norway) said that in order to properly address the problems caused by anti-personnel mines, States must abide by the Ottawa Convention.  National ownership of mine action and mine-victim assistance was also vital.  To make better use of resources, mine action should be coordinated at the lowest possible level, and cooperation between national and local authorities, field operators and donors should be enhanced.  In addition, mine action should be further integrated into both the humanitarian and development agendas.

In the first Review Conference for the Mine Ban Convention, Norway’s priorities would be to promote the intensification and acceleration of mine-clearance efforts, as well as the assurance of assistance to mine victims, he said.  It would also work towards securing adequate funding for mine action and, in particular, advocate the best possible use of available resources.  The implementing agencies of the United Nations should continue to include mine action in their regular activities, when relevant.

ANDREAS BAUM (Switzerland), recognizing the important role of UNMAS as the focal point for mine action within the United Nations system, said that, only with clear mandates and a common purpose could all the Organization’s mine-action partners operate most effectively to combat the threat of landmines and explosive remnants of war.  Switzerland’s current disbursements to mine action were around $12 million and would increase slightly in the coming years.  The country also supported the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining and provided instruments and services to programmes in the field of information management, development of international standards and training packages.

He said that, since January, Switzerland had been chairing the Mine Action Support Group, an informal group that brought together the main donor countries and addressed such subjects as mainstreaming of mine action into development projects.  Mine action in peace processes had also been examined within the group.  Switzerland welcomed the World Bank’s recognition that mine pollution was a significant obstacle to development and intended to be increasingly involved in mine-action projects.  Regrettably, this year’s negotiations on a draft resolution had failed despite the flexibility of many Member States.  That was even more regrettable as support was being gathered to raise awareness for the problem of mines in the weeks leading up to the Nairobi Conference.

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