Rappresentanza Permanente d’Italia presso la Conferenza del Disarmo Ginevra

Main Statements

The Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) – also known as Oslo Convention – prohibits the use, possession, production and transfer of cluster munitions and requires the destruction of existing stockpiles. Adopted on 30 May 2008 during a Diplomatic Conference held in Dublin, it was the culmination of a process begun in Oslo in February 2007, following the failure of negotiations under the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW).

Entered into force on 1 August 2010, the CCM has been ratified by 112 States. Signatories do not include some of the leading manufacturers and users of cluster munitions: Brazil, China, India, Pakistan, Russian Federation and United States.

Both in its content and negotiating process, the Oslo Convention drew heavily from the Ottawa Convention on anti-personnel mines. Its provisions relate to five main thematic areas: clearance and risk education; victim assistance; destruction of stockpiles; cooperation and international assistance; and transparency measures. Some of the main obligations undertaken by States Parties to the Convention include:

clearance of contaminated areas and awareness-raising among the civilian populations living in their proximity;
assistance to victims, including medical care and rehabilitation, psychological support, social services and reintegration assistance;
destruction of existing stockpiles, within eight years from entry into force of the Convention for the State Party concerned;
provision of technical, material or financial assistance to other State Parties to facilitate CCM implementation;
submission of periodic reports containing data on, inter alia, national legislative or administrative measures to implement the Convention; the number and types of stockpiled munitions in deposits; victim assistance efforts; and information on contaminated areas and clearance activities.

States Parties assess implementation and decide on further action during annual Meetings of the States Parties and five-yearly Review Conferences.

The Second Review Conference, held in September 2021 under Swiss Presidency, marked a significant step in reaffirming the Convention’s core pillars. Alongside the Lausanne Declaration, entitled “Protecting lives, empowering victims, enabling development,” the Conference allowed States Parties to formulate a five-year Action Plan (2021-2026) to achieve substantial and sustainable progress towards full implementation of the Convention. The Plan outlined 50 actions, accompanied by specific indicators, addressing the following overarching objectives: universalization, stockpile destruction, analysis and clearance, risk education, victim assistance, international cooperation, transparency, national implementation, and measures to ensure compliance.

From 16 to 19 September 2025, the Thirteen Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) took place. The Meeting provided an opportunity to review the progress made and challenges faced by States Parties in terms of universalization, stockpile destruction, clearance, international cooperation, and victim assistance. It also offered a platform for civil society to express expectations and concerns regarding the continued use of cluster munitions in various geographical areas (Libya, Nagorno-Karabakh, Syria, Ukraine, Yemen).

Universalization continues to be one of CCM’s priorities. In 2023, Nigeria and South Sudan, and in 2025 Vanuatu, became new State Parties. Notably, among European countries, Greece, Finland and Poland failed to join, and Lithuania withdrew in July 2024.

Regarding the technical aspects of the Convention, Italy, together with Norway and then France, serves as co-coordinator for clearance and risk education for the period 2023-2025. This role involved the analysis and evaluation of Art. IV extension requests presented in 2024 by Chad, Germany and Laos, which sought additional time to complete their obligations concerning the destruction of cluster munition remenants in contaminated national areas. In 2025, similar requests were submitted by Afghanistan, Chile, Lebanon, Mauritania and Somalia. As a co-coordinator, Italy also presented a working paper on risk education (EORE) within the CCM framework, emphasizing the importance of integrating these aspects into humanitarian demining programs. The document recommended the appointment of a dedicated coordinator and the organization of a session fully focused on EORE during the next Meetings of the States Parties in 2025. An additional working document was dedicated to the integration of environmental considerations into demining programmes.

Italy’s participation in the CCM

Italy, which participated in the Oslo process from the outset and ratified the Convention in September 2011, considers the CCM as a key step towards enhanced international security – not only for its role in promoting disarmament, but also for its contribution to strengthening international humanitarian law. By obliging States Parties to identify and eliminate unexploded munitions – which pose a serious threat even in post-conflict situations – the Convention also provides additional measures for the protection of human rights and the promotion of development.

For Italy, universalization of the Convention is a priority, particularly its ratification or accession by the major producers and possessors of cluster munitions. Universal adherence to this instrument is increasingly urgent and necessary in the light of the alleged use of these weapons in many conflict areas.

Italy also attaches high importance to international cooperation and assistance, which are necessary for the full implementation of the Convention. In recent years, it has made sgnificant contributions to programmes supporting clearance of contaminated territories, stockpile destruction and victim assistance. Among the countries that have received Italian support in the framework of humanitarian demining are Afghanistan, Somalia, Libya and Palestine. More broadly, the protection of vulnerable groups in conflict and emergency situations remains a central priority for Italian institutions.

In terms of national implementation, Italy – which has never produced cluster munitions – completed the destruction of its stockpiles in 2015, almost five years ahead of the deadline set out in Art. III of the Convention.

From September 2023 to September 2025, Italy served as co-coordinator for clearance and risk reduction (Art. IV).

Main Statements

Thirteen Meeting of the States Parties (Geneva, 16-19 September 2025):

Cons. Eugenio Poti