Over 47 million anti-personnel mines destroyed since 1999

Altogether over 47 million anti-personnel mines have been destroyed since a landmark mine ban treaty entered into force on March 1, 1999, a statement from the 14th Meeting of the States Parties to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (14MSP) said.

As the single largest annual gathering of landmine experts and diplomats, 14 MSP kicked off here on Monday at the UN headquarters in Geneva.

Some 800 participants from 162 states, including Princess Astrid of Belgium, Belgium's Minister of Foreign Affairs, the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the UN Special Rapporteur on Disability, will attend the five-day international gathering.

Observer states such as China and the United States, as well as dozens of international and non-governmental organizations including landmine survivor networks, also are present at the meeting.

Some 30 States Parties including some of the most mine-affected in the world, will report on their efforts to eradicate landmines from their territories and assist mine victims.

In addition, representatives from five countries are expected to present updates on their efforts to destroy existing stockpiles.

The Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention was adopted on Sept. 18, 1997 and it entered into force on March 1, 1999. The landmark humanitarian and disarmament treaty seeks to end the suffering caused by landmines by banning their use, stockpiling, production and transfer. Endit