20 May 2016
States Parties and mine action organisastions gathered in Geneva at the building of the World Meteorological Organization between 19-20 May for the intersessional meetings of the Anti-personnel Mine Ban Convention.
Opening the meeting was Ambassador Marta Mauras of Chile, current President of the Meeting of the States Parties and GICHD Director Stefano Toscano. During his remarks to delegates, Ambassador Toscano highlighted the two main points that the GICHD believes play a substantial role in making a difference toward the 2025 goal of a mine free world: 1) to achieve greater clarity on the challenges ahead while substantially increasing the efficiency with which land is released; 2) building up national and local capacities.
Also during the meeting, the States Parties appointed Juan Carlos Ruan as new Director of the Implementation Support Unit (ISU) of the APMBC. For the past ten years, Mr. Ruan has supported individual States Parties with mine clearance implementation-related matters. And for the past year he also worked as the unit's interim director. Pictured above are Ambassador Toscano and Mr. Ruan during the APMBC Pledging Conference, held this past February in Geneva.
The GICHD was pleased to provide administrative support to the ISU during this two-day meeting, as per the hosting agreement between the Centre and States Parties.
Category: International Conventions