Laos lends muscle to cluster sub-munitions convention meeting

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Thongloun Sisoulith and his delegation are attending the Second Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Sub-munitions in Beirut, Lebanon, from September 12-16.

Dr Thongloun was chair at the First Meeting of States Parties of the Convention on Cluster Sub-munitions, held last November in Vientiane.

At the second meeting, the Lao delegation was praised by other States Parties, international organisations and non-government organisations for successfully carrying out its chairmanship role during the first meeting.
At this week's meeting the Lao delegation has undertaken the role of vice-chairman and cluster sub-munitions coordinator - an Oslo treaty obligation.

At the beginning of the meeting, Dr Thongloun handed over the role of chairman to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants of the Republic of Lebanon Dr Adnan Mansour, which he will fullfil until the third meeting in 2012.

Laos' profile has received a significant boost in the international political arena since the first meeting. More countries and international organisations are now aware of the uphill struggle the country faces trying to clear UXO, and donors have increased as a result.

At the first meeting in Vientiane, the Vientiane Declaration was agreed by the States Parties and a Vientiane Action Plan was drawn up to further the implementation work agreed in the Oslo treaty.

UXO clearance, victim assistance, risk education and international cooperation in mine clearance were priority obligations identified in the Vientiane Declaration.

Meanwhile, Laos still struggles to educate people about the dangers of cluster sub-munitions in the areas affected.

As a result of Laos' work lobbying other countries, the number of States Parties to the convention increased from 46 to 63 during Laos' chairmanship.

By Times Reporters (Latest Update September 16, 2011)