Countdown to the Second Review Conference

Message from Colombian Vicepresident, Francisco Santos Calderón, to all conference participants

The Cartagena Summit is the best scenario for all the State Parties of the Convention to publicly ratify our commitment to the definitive eradication of antipersonnel mines in the world. These artefacts represent a permanent threat to the exercise of people’s basic rights, building a barrier against the communities’ economic and social development. It won’t be long before Colombia welcomes representatives from the Countries, the Civil Society and the International Community, who will attend the Second Review Conference on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction.



Welcome to the Cartagena Summit

Message from Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jaime Bermúdez Merizalde,  to all conference participants

Colombia, as host of the Second Review Conference of the State Parties from the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction, has been working hard to welcome representatives from the international community on comprehensive action against antipersonnel mines, who will meet in Cartagena de Indias from November 30th to December 4th of 2009 in order to guarantee a successful meeting.   

Making a Difference

Message from President Designated, Ambassador Susan Eckey, to all conference participants

As President-Designate of the Second Review Conference of the Mine Ban Convention I am proud and honoured to be working closely with the Colombian government to ensure a successful Conference. Together we aim for a strong political outcome through participation at the highest level possible.  Together with civil society and field-based international organisations we will ensure that our work is firmly based on the situation on the ground.  Together with all States Parties we will do our utmost to ensure that the Second Review Conference will make a difference.

Strengthening a shared commitment at the Cartegena Summit

Message from  Director of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention Implementation Support Unit, Kerry Brinkert.

It is an honor to support Colombia in preparing to host the world for the Cartagena Summit on a Mine-Free World. In taking on this task, Colombia has accepted a great responsibility. My staff and I will do what we can to assist Colombia in realizing the potential of this important event.

The Cartagena Summit presents an opportunity to bring to life the theme of this conference – a shared commitment. This shared commitment has been demonstrated by over ten years of efforts to implement the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention.

Come, share, commit and care

Message from Sylvie Brigot, Executive Director of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, to all conference participants

The Cartagena Summit is the time for states to clearly show their determination to live up to their commitments to survivors and their families, to communities still living in mined areas.

When we started the campaign, it was common to hear that mine clearance would take centuries, that victim assistance was too broad an issue to be tackled effectively, that stockpile destruction would cost too much.