Fourth Committee

Assistance in Mine Action

Statement by Mr Rod Sawford MP, Parliamentary Adviser to the Australian Delegation to the United Nations

(Check against delivery)

29 October, 2004

Mr President,

As a strong supporter of the Ottawa Convention, Australia is pleased to note that more than three quarters of the world's nations have now embraced it. We welcome this significant show of support for the Convention and its goals and look forward to the accession of more nations in the future.

Universalisation of the Convention is a primary goal for the Australian Government. We will continue to work closely with other parties to encourage States not party to the Convention to take steps towards accession. Australia recognises that many non-signatory countries have practical resource pressures and competing priorities. We continue to urge these nations to commit themselves to ridding the world of anti-personnel mines. We must all continue to look for ways to provide support to those countries that wish to become party to the Convention. We are disappointed that a consensus was not reached on the recent draft Mine Action resolution at UNGA 59.

Within our immediate region, we welcome the accession of East Timor to the Convention, and its ratification by Papua New Guinea. We look hopefully to positive outcomes of the First Review Conference of the Ottawa Convention to be held in Nairobi, Kenya in late November this year, and in particular the 2005-09 Action Plan.

Mr President,

With A$97 million expended on mine action activities since January 1996, the Australian Government will fully meet its pledge of A$100 million to mine action activities for the decade 1996 - 2005. Australia's mine action assistance has focused on building indigenous capacity for mine clearance, assisting mine victims and promoting mine awareness.

The majority of Australia's humanitarian demining activity is focused on countries in the Asia-Pacific region, many of which suffer the highest burden of mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) in the world. In 2003-04 we provided more than A$7.5 million to mine action programs in various countries focusing on demining, mine risk education, victim assistance and integrated programs. We also provided A$1.3 million for mine focussed assistance to Afghanistan in 2003-04.


Mr President,

As I have demonstrated, Australia remains firmly committed to the goal of a comprehensive and lasting solution to the global anti-personnel mine problem. As Co-chair of the Standing Committee on Victim Assistance and Socio-Economic Reintegration, Australia will seek to promote awareness and encourage support for activities that address victim needs. In addition, we will continue to support international action to halt the use of anti-personnel mines through promoting universalisation and effective implementation of the Treaty.

The collective efforts of governments and civil society have brought us a long way. Australia is proud to be playing a significant role in this important area of humanitarian concern.