Congratulations to Saint Kitts and Nevis for being the first CCM State Party to submit its annual transparency report in 2021! Saint Kitts has been leading by example in fulfilling its Article 7 obligation by achieving first place 3 out of the 4 times annual report early bird medals have been awarded (and still achieving third place last year).
States Parties are required by the Convention to submit their 2020 annual transparency report before the due date of 30 April 2021. The report covers the previous calendar year (1 January to 31 December 2020) and should be sent to the UN Secretary-General, via the Office for Disarmament Affairs at ccm@un.org. The ISU would also appreciate a copy of the submitted report at info@cmconvention.org.
To facilitate reporting, States Parties are recommended to use the reporting template, which is available in English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese and Russian.
The Second Review Conference of the Convention on Cluster Munitions (2RC) is held in two parts: on 25-27 November 2020 and 4-5 February 2021.
SECOND PART OF THE 2RC
The first part of the 2RC has concluded. For more information, visit the 2RC web page which is regularly updated.
What is the Convention on Cluster Munitions?
The Convention on Cluster Munitions is a humanitarian imperative-driven legal instrument which prohibits all use, production, transfer and stockpiling of cluster munitions. In addition, it establishes a framework for cooperation and assistance to ensure adequate assistance to survivors and their communities, clearance of contaminated areas, risk reduction education and destruction of stockpiles.
By ratifying or acceding to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, States Parties commit to never use, produce, stockpile or transfer cluster munitions. Furthermore States Parties commit to destroy existing stockpiles in eight years; clear contaminated land in ten years; assist victims; provide technical, material and financial assistance to other States Parties; undertake transparency measures; adopt national implementation measures; and promote universal adherence to the Convention.
Cluster munitions are unacceptable for two reasons. Firstly, they have wide area effects and are unable to distinguish between civilians and combatants. Secondly, the use of cluster munitions leave behind large numbers of dangerous unexploded ordnance. Such remnants kill and injure civilians, obstruct economic and social development, and have other severe consequences that persist for years and decades after use.
Full text versions of the Convention for download in English, French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese and Arabic.
How many States joined the Convention?
Adopted on 30 May 2008 in Dublin, Ireland and signed on 3-4 December 2008 in Oslo, Norway, the Convention on Cluster Munitions entered into force on 1 August 2010. To date 123 states have committed to the goals of the Convention, of which 110 have become States Parties and 13 are Signatories.
Five-year road map (2015-2020)
To guide States Parties effectively implement the provisions of the Convention on Cluster Munitions from the First to the Second Review Conference, States Parties adopted a five-year roadmap called the Dubrovnik Action Plan (DAP).
Reporting on progress and challenges
In accordance with Article 7 of the Convention on Cluster Munitions, States Parties have the obligation to report on the status of their treaty implementation through an initial transparency report and annual reports thereafter. Transparency reports submitted by States Parties can be found here.