EU Statement – UN General Assembly 4th Committee: Assistance in Mine Action
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Madam Chair and distinguished colleagues,
I am pleased to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.
The Candidate Countries North Macedonia*, Montenegro*, Serbia*, Albania*, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina*, the potential candidate country Georgia, and the EFTA country Iceland, member of the European Economic Area, as well as Andorra, Monaco and San Marino align themselves with this statement.
The European Union is united in our commitment to the goal of a world free of anti-personnel mines. All 27 EU Member States are States Parties to the Ottawa Convention and, today, all EU Member States are co-sponsors of the General Assembly resolution on “Assistance in Mine Action”.
The Ottawa Convention represents what international cooperation can achieve: a strong global norm against anti-personnel mines and significant efforts in mine clearance, victims’ assistance, and the destruction of remaining stockpiles. The EU will continue to support humanitarian mine action across the world, including in the face of Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.
The European Union is grateful to Poland for facilitating this resolution on behalf of the EU, as is tradition. The leadership that Poland showed helped us to reach consensus once again, despite some significant differences in opinion among Delegations in the room.
We believe this year’s resolution is a positive step forward. The new language recognizes important elements of the complex topic of mine action, in line with humanitarian priorities across the UN. The resolution now encourages relevant bodies to include mine action in their climate and food security programmes, and it also recognizes that mines are an impediment to land cultivation and local resilience, as well as to peacebuilding.
Member States also agreed to note the role of mine action in reducing the human cost of weapons, and the need to include mine action in discussions Member States will have about the Secretary-General’s New Agenda for Peace. This helps to situate mine action within the context of the vital humanitarian topics that the UN General Assembly will continue to address throughout the 78th session.
We are glad to note the establishment of a United Nations Global Advocate for persons with disabilities in conflict and peacebuilding situations, and we see the language on following a “disability-inclusive” perspective in mine action programmes as significant progress. Additionally, the resolution’s support for victims and survivors to access mental health and psychosocial support services is positive.
The European Union continues our call for all UN member states to remain committed to promoting respect for international humanitarian law and to comply with international obligations related to mine action. We are pleased to see these calls continue to be reflected in the agreed text.
Mine Action is an important and complex topic. The European Union hopes that in future, the resolution can reflect some additional points which were discussed during consultations. Notably, the EU would welcome language on how mines and explosive remnants of war impact the enjoyment of human rights. Another welcome addition would be to see the very relevant concerns about explosive weapons in populated areas reflected, as their use pose a serious risk to civilians and to humanitarian operations. The Zero Draft included a reference to these weapons, and the Secretary-General’s report on Assistance in Mine Action reflected the significance of the Political Declaration on Strengthening the Protection of Civilians from the Humanitarian Consequences Arising from the Use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas, which was endorsed by 83 States in November 2022.
We thank Delegations, particularly those that have co-sponsored the resolution, for their constructive engagement on the draft resolution, and we look forward to its adoption by consensus.
Thank you.
* North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.