The Twelfth Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) opened on Tuesday 10 September in Geneva. The Convention establishes the prohibition of the development, production, acquisition, stockpiling, transfer, and use of cluster munitions, aiming to ensure greater protection of the civilian population during armed conflicts. In the statement on behalf of Italy, Ambassador Leonardo Bencini, Permanent Representative to the Conference on Disarmament, reiterated Italy’s full commitment to respecting the provisions of the Convention and its determination to end the human suffering caused by the use of these weapons ”In Italy’s view, increasing international tension and conflicts make the imperative of a world free of cluster munitions even more urgent“. The Ambassador further added that “Civilians continue to represent the vast majority of victims, with a significant impact also on children“. Indeed, Italy’s commitment translates into substantial financial support for humanitarian demining programs, which encompass both clearance operations and assistance to victims and their reintegration into society.
The work of the Meeting of States Parties, where Italy plays the important role of co-Coordinator for clearance and risk education concluded on Friday 13 September.
