2004 Landmine Monitor report signals big challenges ahead as governments head to Nairobi Summit
A special edition of the annual Landmine Monitor Report (to be released in Wellington tomorrow) illustrates the significant progress made under the Ottawa Mine Ban Treaty in the past five years, but signals that some of the biggest challenges lie ahead. The report will be presented to governments as they head to the Nairobi Summit on a Mine Free World (29 November-3 December).
“The progress made since the MBT entered into force five years ago is a great example of what governments can achieve when they work cooperatively to increase human security under a multi-lateral process,” said Deborah Morris-Travers, Convenor of the NZ Campaign Against Landmines.
“Use of antipersonnel landmines has fallen, funding for mine action has increased by 80 percent, huge stockpiles of mines have been destroyed, more than 1,100 square kilometres of land has been cleared, and the number of new mine victims each year has decreased markedly. However, there are big challenges remaining (see attached overview).