The Philippines recommits to achieving a Mine-Free World by 2025

On behalf of the Philippines, Philippine Ambassador to Norway Jocelyn Batoon-Garcia (rightmost) confirms the Philippines recommitment to the implementation of the Mine Ban Convention (Ambassador Vera Shatilova photo)

Oslo, Norway — The Philippines, together with 164 states that are parties to the Mine Ban Convention, adopted the Oslo Action Plan during the conclusion of the Fourth Review Conference on a Mine Free World held in Oslo, from 25 to 29 November 2019.

The Oslo Action Plan provides priorities and targets to ensure a Mine-Free World by 2025 including increased progress in mine survey and clearance, mine risk education and reduction for affected communities and vulnerable groups, and an integrated gender perspective in all aspects of mine action. The Oslo Action Plan further confirms that the Mine Ban Convention shall cover not only landmines, but also improvised explosive devices made by armed non-state actors.

Philippine Ambassador to Norway Jocelyn Batoon-Garcia (right), Third Secretary Cabahug (left), and Ms. Ferdausia Mokamad of the Philippine Campaign to Ban Landmines Youth and Philippine youth delegate to the Conference (Photo courtesy of Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

During her statement, Philippine Ambassador to Norway Jocelyn Batoon-Garcia emphasized the Philippines commitment to remain an active and willing partner in achieving the vision of a mine-free world. The Ambassador welcomed the Oslo Action Plan’s stated priority on addressing the increasing use of improvised explosive devices by armed non-state actors and mentioned that future counter-measures should also consider the factors that enable insurgent groups to acquire the equipment and technical know-how for improvising weapons, as for example, the flow of funds from illicit activities.


For more information, visit https://www.oslope.dfa.gov.ph or
https://www.facebook.com/PHinNorway.

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