Statement on assistance in mine action – Fourth Committee of the 72nd Session of the UN General Assembly

Mr. Chair,

This year marks the 20^th anniversary of the signature of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, which was the culmination of the Ottawa Process and years of civil society engagement.

Today, 162 States Parties are committed to eliminating these debilitating weapons. More than 51 million mines have been destroyed and the number of new mine victims has dropped significantly. However, much work lies ahead if we are to achieve the goal of a mine free world by 2025 that was adopted at the 2015 Review Conference in Maputo. Considerable legacy contamination remains, and new contamination continues, including from improvised anti-personnel mines.

In many cases, this contamination is created by non-state actors who show complete disregard for humanitarian principles and the value of human life. These weapons continue to result in devastating casualties, and make it very difficult for families, including refugees, internally displaced persons and migrants, to return after conflict ends and to rebuild their communities.

Canada strongly supports the use of an evidence-based approach that better responds to the needs of affected populations, and places a priority on gender equality and inclusion in mine action. Persons with disabilities in particular, including survivors of anti-personnel mines, can be among the most vulnerable members of their communities; it is important that they are given opportunities for reintegration. Women and girls who survive landmine explosions often face particular barriers to recovery and integration, meaning that they may require a number of specific economic, social, and rehabilitative services.

In the past year, Canada contributed $17.5 million to mine action in Afghanistan, Colombia, Iraq, Sri Lanka and Ukraine. As a major supporter of mine action, Canada ensures that all of our programmes are adapted to local realities and aligns with the principles outlined earlier. For example, in Iraq, Colombia and Sri Lanka, our implementation partners employ gender-balanced community liaison teams and train local women as part of their clearance crews.

As we work together to address the risk of mines and explosive remnants of war, Canada emphasizes that humanitarian assistance, security, and development work, that is gender- and diversity-sensitive, helps rebuild societies, and enables sustainable peace.

Thank you.