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 29th to December 4th of 2009 in order to guarantee a successful meeting.  

This year marks the tenth anniversary since the Antipersonnel Mine Ban Convention entered into force, and the Cartagena Summit gains particular relevance since it will be the opportunity for all State Parties to monitor the status of implementation of the Convention, exchange information on the national efforts in that matter, establish future goals and strengthen international cooperation and assistance for comprehensive action against antipersonnel mines. 

The Cartagena Summit will be an opportunity to face the new challenges posed by the antipersonnel mine issue, particularly their new means of production and use. The number of victims that these weapons keep generating each year reminds us that this is an ongoing problem of great magnitude. The difficult reality of thousands of victims and affected communities around the world highlights the imperative need to focus our efforts on the survivors’ well being and the restitution of their rights. 

State Parties and the overall international community have an obligation to send out a strong message: we want a world free of mines; we want women, men, and children to stop living in fear and suffering the irreversible consequences of antipersonnel mines.  

Together with Norway, as Designated Presidency of the Conference, and with the joint efforts of States, international organizations and civil society, we will work in Cartagena to achieve the proposed objectives and to reaffirm our shared commitment for a mine-free world.  

Jaime Bermúdez Merizalde
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Colombia