7 June 2017
The advantages of the Land Release method and the challenges that several countries currently face in implementing it were two topics of discussion in the panel "Universalizing Land Release" on 7 June.
In a new format, it was co-organised by Austria - the Presidency of the Anti-personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC), and Germany - the Presidency of the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM), with the support of their respective Implementation Support Units and the GICHD.
Participants heard presentations on land release in the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) and in the Conventions. The second half of the event featured practical examples of how the land release methods has been applied. The advantages of the land release method were widely recognised by all participants for its ability to better define which land is actually contaminated. Some of the challenges expressed by panelists included frequent rotation of staff and loss of knowledge on the ground, making all partners confident with the process and enough resources to carry out the work.
This panel came on the eve of the Intersessional Meeting of the Anti-personnel Mine Ban Convention, which will be held in from 8-9 June.
Category: International Conventions