Speech by Special Adviser Ragne Birte Lund

Mine Action Coordination, Resources and Implementation

Ottawa 23 mars 1998 Oppfølgingskonferanse om minekonvensjonen.

Let me at the outset express appreciation to our Canadian hosts for taking the initiative to host this workshop and facilitating the preparations in an excellent manner. We are here to give further momentum to the Ottawa process and practical follow up action based on a common understanding of the principles and standards that should guide the concerted international mine action.

The Convention has established an international framework for further comprehensive efforts to resolve the landmine problem. The financial resources and means of implementation should in our view be aimed at further strengthening the norms established by the Convention.

In this context my Government recognises the importance of giving the implementation of these goals a scope both for joint activities by the international community including initiatives by NGO’s and national efforts, thus allowing states to pursue bilateral and regional initiatives.

It is encouraging to see that so many countries in mine affected areas all over the world already have signed the convention as this is decisive to the effectiveness of this instrument.

Challenges

Mine action programmes around the world have been conducted since the 1980’s. We recognise that the lessons learned have been both good and bad, and that there is room for improvements. The new Convention, the Ottawa process and the awarding of the Nobel Peace Price to the ICBL and Ms. Jody Williams have generated considerably more attention to the landmine problem world-wide. There is in increased funding and more money in the system and the question is how to make the best possible use.

Norway has pledged a long term financial contribution to mine action, making a commitment of 120 Mill USD over 5 years. We are now actively engaged in elaborating a consolidated plan of action. This practically oriented workshop will, I am sure, provide valuable input to further our implementation.

The donors, the affected states, the UN and other international organisations, the NGOs and the implementing partners therefore share a common responsibility in producing practical, sustainable results in all the areas within mine action. We need to strengthen cooperation and coordination, and further the unique partnership between governments, agencies and NGOs and the local population. We should establish safeguards to ensure high standards in order to reduce the risk of unsuitable costly experiments in mine action. We also need to develop a common understanding of how the resources should be channelled into projects that will help us reach the goals set out by the convention. Adequate progress indicators should be developed to assess the impact of these efforts.

At present there is still a lack of standards and guidelines for data collection, surveying, marking, methods of clearance, awareness, impact assessment and evaluation. There may be duplications as well as gaps. For everyone involved this is highly unsatisfactory, and seen from a donor’s view we also need further clarity with regard to roles and responsibilities.

Let me highlight some of the elements which Norway finds relevant when addressing the issue of resources and implementation:

Landmines problem in a wider context

We consider the agenda for mine action as part of the wider agenda for peace and sustainable development. Resources for mine action are instrumental in creating an environment of human security that is essential for social and economic development in a post conflict situation.

It is furthermore important to involve to the extent possible persons from both sides of a former conflict in design and implementation of mine action programmes.

Mine action is also essential in support to the realisation of human rights, in promoting the principles of non-discrimination and equal rights of the victims, with regard to education, health and participation in society. Mine action, including humanitarian demining should be part of comprehensive strategies for reconstruction and development. Treatment and rehabilitation of victims should be a part of overall social programmes and public health schemes. This also encompasses social and economic reintegration.

The plans for mineaction should furthermore clearly define target areas and groups, inter alia include local participation, capacity building, plans for transfer to local management where programs are lead by international actors and indicate the link to further development policies. Concrete programs should address the needs of the affected populations and local capacitybuilding in mine afflicted countries should be strengthened.

The cultural dimension should as well be respected. Special needs of vulnerable groups and the gender perspective would also need to be addressed.

All mineaction efforts, in particular mine awareness, must in our view involve active cooperation with relevant parties of the countries concerned. The active involvement of local communities should be the basis of all mine action programmes. The cooperation at the local level may take different shapes depending on the circumstances and needs. However, we need to establish better standards and methods for the various components of mineaction to ensure the best possible impact.

Linking assistance to the Convention

By allocating resources to mineaction within the framework of the convention we strengthen its status and promote the universalisation. Consequently, our funding will primarily be provided to programmes in states that are committed to the objectives in the Convention. There may, however, be situations where exceptions have to be made because of urgent humanitarian needs. Under such circumstances all parties should be encouraged to adhere to the Convention.

There is a need to broaden the understanding of the convention among target groups in countries that have not yet signed. Towards this end the unique partnership between governments and NGOs is still needed. We appreciate the continued activities of the ICBL and ICRC and others in promoting the universalisation of the convention.

Information

Experience has shown us that the need for accurate information prior to implementation of mine action programmes is important for success. In order to ensure effective use of resources, there is a need to establish a clearer picture of the scope and nature of the problems in the countries affected by mines.

Resources should be allocated to facilitate better information gathering and improved processing of data. This will enable us to improve the mineaction both in terms of sustainability and cost-effectiveness.

Furthermore, we need more transparency on lessons learned from projects and undertake more systematic use of such information when planning new ones. Such information should be part of a shared information system.

Foremost priority must be given to ways of establishing more accurate information pertaining to the specific cases. This would include the extent of mined areas, potential productive areas, the economic an social impact of mines on peoples’ lives, capacities in treating victims and needs among victims for physical treatment, for psycho-social treatment and economic reintegration. A series of surveys and assessment missions must be conducted and a scheme for doing so should be worked out urgently.

Information systems and data bases exist today. However, to avoid overlap and to address gaps, information concerning the integrated mineaction approach should be more compatible. Data should be accessible to all actors involved at the global and local level and should provide the basis for mine action programs. The Geneva International Centre would in this regard also play an important role. We would furthermore welcome projects aimed at establishing country databases and level 1 surveys. I hope that the relevant working groups on information and on standards can give further guidance as to methods and principles for data collection and standardisation.

Victim assistance

Victim assistance is a crucial part of the implementation of the convention. This is reflected in the Norwegian decision to allocate 20 million USD over a five year period in support of the ICRC’s comprehensive mine-victims assistance programme in cooperation with the Norwegian Red Cross. The ICRC with its data base on mine-incidents, its wide experience and knowledge about orthopaedic and surgery activities, training and other programmes should be a building block in these areas. We are also considering support to the implementation of the WHO plan of action for a concerted public health response to APL-mines. Emergency and post emergency care for handling landmine injuries is obviously crucial in dealing with the epidemic of mine injuries. Having discussed both with ICRC and WHO it seems like far too little has been invested in elaborating guidelines for psycho-social rehabilitation programmes. We would like to support efforts that would address this gap. The need to develop a global mine incidents register should also be addressed.

The victims are not only recipients of assistance. Their potential as actors should also fully be utilised.

Demining technology

Present technology in humanitarian demining should be improved. Although introduction of minedogs and mechanical mineclearence machines have proven to be successful, better and safer equipment is still needed. Several research projects are under way and they will hopefully give valuable contributions to the battle against landmines. However, in order to secure the quality of the research and that these efforts results in practical solutions, NGO’s involved in demining should be included in such projects.

Coordination

Norway is strongly in favour of improved coordination, new cooperative partnerships and information sharing at both the global and field levels on issues relating to resources and implementation. This goes for overview of needs, division of roles and responsibilities, reporting on contributions, programme implementation and lessons learned.

We should encourage implementing actors to coordinate their efforts within more comprehensive countrywide programmes based on priorities and needs. The UN is a very important actor in the mine action with many ongoing programmes. Norway has provided support to several of these operations and will continue to do so in the future. The UN should continue to be a focal point for mine action and facilitate field coordination.

We welcome and strongly support the UN Secretary-General’s establishment of a unit inside the Department for Peace Keeping Operations that is responsible for coordination of activities in the Mine Action area within the UN system. This is an important step to ensure an integrated and holistic response to the landmine problem. We would also like to thank the DPKO and the Mine Action Service for the presentation of the United Nations policy on mine action and effective coordination.

It has established a clear division of roles and responsibilities between the different parts of the UN system for the respective aspects of mine action. The document further addresses several key questions concerning resources and coordination at both global and field level, as well as factors relevant to prioritisation. We look forward to close contact with the UNMAS inter alia through the Mine Action Support Group in New York. We would encourage the UN to facilitate mechanisms to include the participation of the NGOs both at headquarters and in the field from an early stage of planning.

With the APL convention we have entered into a new era. New and additional resources have been mobilised. This requires concerted action among all actors to make fully use of the opportunities presented to us. It is therefore vital that the partnership that has characterised this process be furthered in the follow-up of the Convention. This meeting can make a difference.