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.
From November 29 to December 4th, 2009, Cartagena de Indias will host one the highest level international summits. Presidents, ministers and experts on the fight against antipersonnel mines will meet to evaluate the actions, achievements, difficulties and challenges of each of the Convention’s 156 State Parties, committed to eliminating these devices, which leave close to 5,000 victims every year.
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.
Colombia is proud to host the Second Review Conference, since this postulation is understood as the acknowledgement of the actions undertaken in the country in this matter, as well as the support to the international community to continue with the struggle against this burden.
Since now we welcome each of the delegates who will visit us and we beseech the international community to make this a common cause, because the struggle against antipersonnel mines is a shared commitment.
Only if we act together, willing and decisively, as we have been doing until now, will the day come when Colombia and the world will be able to enjoy a mine-free world.
Francisco Santos Calderón
Vicepresident
Colombia
