During the Ninth Meeting of the State Parties held in November 2008, it was agreed that the Second Review Conference of the Convention would take place in Cartagena, Colombia, from November 29th to December 4th, 2009. Furthermore, the State Parties agreed to appoint Norwegian Susan Eckey as President of the Second Review Conference. Ambassador Eckey has called upon the international community to seize the opportunity presented by the Second Review Conference to do as follows:

Share the impressive progress that has been made to achieve a mine-free world during the first decade of the Convention and focus on the remaining challenges for the States Parties and our partners in the process of full implementation and compliance with the Convention.

Focus the world’s attention on the humanitarian essence of the Convention: people’s rights and our commitments to the survivors and the communities affected by mines. In doing so, we can reaffirm our support of a life with dignity for all those who live with the consequences of antipersonnel mines on a daily basis.

Remember that antipersonnel mines are an active problem with socio-economic consequences that cause great suffering and pain to people from several countries.

Make sure that civilian population affected by antipersonnel mines are heard and involved, including through the application of a gender perspective to mine action.

Reinvigorate national implementation as well as compliance efforts and enhance national appropriation among the State Parties in order to fulfill their obligations on international cooperation and assistance, clearance, destruction of stockpiles and victims’ assistance.

Promote the international norm established by the Convention regarding the prohibition and unacceptability of antipersonnel mines’ use, continue with the universalization efforts and encourage further international cooperation to strengthen human safety.