Southeast Asia and Pacific Regional Workshop on the Convention on Cluster Munitions

In advance of the 13^th Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, a number of States gathered in Manila, on 18-19 March 2025 for a Southeast Asia and Pacific Regional Workshop on the Convention on Cluster Munitions, hosted by the Republic of the Philippines.

Participants discussed the importance of upholding humanitarian disarmament norms amid growing global challenges to International Humanitarian Law, noting with concern the first-ever withdrawal from a multilateral treaty banning an entire category of weapons. The Philippines, as 13MSP President, stressed that such decisions risk eroding the principles prohibiting cluster munitions, which have caused indiscriminate harm for decades.

The workshop highlighted recent positive developments in the region, including parliamentary progress in Vanuatu towards joining the CCM and the Marshall Islands’ accession to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention. Other Southeast Asian and Pacific States reiterated their support for the principles and norms of the CCM.

Building on the broad support reflected in the latest UN General Assembly resolution on the CCM, participants committed to exploring the steps required for accession or ratification, aiming to advance universalization ahead of the 13MSP and the 2026 Third Review Conference to be presided over by Lao PDR.

The workshop aimed to:

Strengthen humanitarian disarmament norms and address regional barriers;
Draw lessons from other regions and promote collaboration;
Enhance technical knowledge and capacity;
Highlight developmental benefits of joining the CCM; and
Sustain momentum through follow-up, awareness-raising and regional cooperation.