landmine

After designating the renowned actor Daniel Craig as the first United Nations Global Advocate for the Elimination of Mines and Explosive Hazards at Headquarters today, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon thanked the current James Bond for his commitment to supporting the UN’s vision of a world free from the threat of landmines and explosive remnants of war.

As the world marks the tenth anniversary of the passing of the global mine ban treaty and commemorates International Mine Awareness Day, the head of the United Nations’ office dealing with the threat they pose stressed today the importance of looking beyond the effects of just anti-personnel mines.

Reiterating the commitment of the United Nations to ridding the world of anti-personnel landmines, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called for accelerating efforts towards achieving this goal and strengthening adherence to the global treaty dealing with the issue.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today reiterated the importance of eliminating the threat of mines and explosive remnants of war as a crucial endeavour that advances peace, enables development, supports nations in transition and saves lives.

The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) is expanding its operations in Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Libya, Somalia and South Sudan, thanks to a multi-million dollar contribution from the Government of Japan.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today highlighted the work of United Nations mine action personnel around the world in preventing landmines and unexploded ordnance from causing harm long after conflicts have ended, and transforming danger zones into productive land.

The United Nations today welcomed the decision of South Sudan to become the newest member of the global convention banning the use, stockpiling, production and sale of anti-personnel mines, describing it as an “historic step” for a country plagued by countless mines left behind from years of war.

Every month in Afghanistan, away from the headlines, an average of 40 people are killed or injured by landmines and explosive remnants of war. Large areas of potential farmland are kept out of bounds and economic development is being held back.

The United Nations today appealed to the world community to make up a huge shortfall in this year’s nearly half-billion-dollar programme to clean up mines and other remnants of war, which claim thousands of victims annually long after the conflicts that spawned them have ended.