A conference on the Cluster Bomb Ban Treaty took place in Vientiane, Laos on February 18.
The conference, jointly held by Lao Foreign Ministry and the United Nations’ office in Laos, saw the participation of Deputy Foreign Minister Phongsavat Boupha and UN coordinator Sonam Yangchen Rana.
Participants at the conference exchanged experiences in implementing the Cluster Bomb Ban Treaty, called for supports from different countries in an effort to end up the use of cluster bomb, untie unexploded bombs and help cluster bombs’ victims.
Addressing the conference, Phongsavat Boupha underlined the significance of the treaty, considering this as a result of the international community’s efforts to prohibit the production, use, stockpiling and transfer of cluster bombs, a serious threat to children worldwide.
Laos has been the most affected by cluster bombs in the world for many decades, with over 50,000 bomb accidents from 1964 to 2008, of which 60 percent of the victims have died. The number of child victims increased from 40 percent to 60 percent, according to statistics released in February, 2010.
So far, 30 countries have ratified the treaty, which will take effect on August 1, 2010./.
The conference, jointly held by Lao Foreign Ministry and the United Nations’ office in Laos, saw the participation of Deputy Foreign Minister Phongsavat Boupha and UN coordinator Sonam Yangchen Rana.
Participants at the conference exchanged experiences in implementing the Cluster Bomb Ban Treaty, called for supports from different countries in an effort to end up the use of cluster bomb, untie unexploded bombs and help cluster bombs’ victims.
Addressing the conference, Phongsavat Boupha underlined the significance of the treaty, considering this as a result of the international community’s efforts to prohibit the production, use, stockpiling and transfer of cluster bombs, a serious threat to children worldwide.
Laos has been the most affected by cluster bombs in the world for many decades, with over 50,000 bomb accidents from 1964 to 2008, of which 60 percent of the victims have died. The number of child victims increased from 40 percent to 60 percent, according to statistics released in February, 2010.
So far, 30 countries have ratified the treaty, which will take effect on August 1, 2010./.
