Cluster Munitions Convention 3rd Review Conference Held in Laos, Emphasizing International Cooperation to Overcome Challenges

Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone stated that the 3rd Review Conference of the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM), held yesterday in Vientiane, Laos, is a critical milestone in turning political commitments into concrete actions. He noted that progress under the convention is measured by the expanding area of safe land returned to local communities, the quality of life and comprehensive support provided to victims and their families, and the permanent destruction of stockpiles. Tangible reduction in casualties, alongside sustained and predictable international cooperation delivered at scale, also directly contributes to the convention's implementation. The conference provides participants and stakeholders from national and international spheres an opportunity to consider and adopt the Vientiane Capital Action Plan 2027–2031. This framework sets out focused and measurable priorities, including accelerated, safe, and efficient survey, clearance, and risk education; comprehensive and sustainable victim assistance; and enhanced and predictable international cooperation and assistance aligned with the socio-economic development priorities of affected countries. Prime Minister Sonexay emphasized that achieving these goals requires sustained political will, adequate financial and technical resources, strong partnerships, and the active involvement of victims and affected communities. "No affected country can tackle the burden of unexploded ordnance in isolation; robust international cooperation remains an indispensable pillar for realizing the CCM's goals," he stated. Sixteen years ago, Vientiane served as the birthplace of the initial Vientiane Action Plan—a defining moment when states parties, affected nations, development partners, international institutions, and civil society united to translate principles into action. Laos, as a legacy of decades of conflict, still faces the challenge of millions of unexploded ordnance (UXO) across its territory. The CCM is an international treaty that prohibits all use, transfer, production, and stockpiling of cluster munitions, and also establishes a framework for victim assistance, clearance of contaminated sites, risk reduction education, and stockpile destruction. The convention was adopted on May 30, 2008, in Dublin and opened for signature on December 3, 2008, in Oslo. It entered into force on August 1, 2010. More than 800 officials from national and international spheres attended the 3rd Review Conference. Notable attendees included the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Laos, the UN Under-Secretary-General, and the Vice President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), reaffirming the importance of international cooperation. Several Lao companies and financial institutions have also provided significant financial and in-kind support for the conference. Information Source: KPL Laos News