Australia Takes Action To Rid The World Of Landmines

BOB McMULLAN MP
PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR FRASER

Australia Takes Action to Rid the World of Landmines

The Australian Government today reaffirmed its strong commitment to mine action by presenting the Mine Action Strategy for the Australian aid program 2010-14 to the Summit on a Mine-Free World in Cartagena, Colombia.

Under the new strategy Australia has pledged $100 million over the next five years to help developing countries affected by landmines, cluster munitions and other explosive remnants of war.

"The new strategy is an important step in addressing a problem that affects the lives of so many people around the world," said Mr McMullan, Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance.

Since signing the Mine Ban Convention in 1997, Australia has contributed more than $175 million to mine action.

The Cartagena Summit is the Second Review Conference of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention. More than 1,000 delegates representing over 100 countries have gathered to review progress over the past decade and set further goals for future action towards a mine-free world.

Significant progress has been made under the Convention. Government use of landmines has decreased from 15 countries using landmines to just two; there has been a significant reduction in casualties, from more than 20,000 casualties per year to less than 5,200 in 2008; and around 3,200 square kilometres of mined and battle areas in over 90 states have been cleared.

Despite this progress, many challenges remain. More than 70 countries are still considered to be mine-affected.

"Tomorrow I look forward to Australia joining other countries in adopting a shared global commitment to action on landmines by ratifying the Cartagena Declaration and the Cartagena Action Plan," said Mr McMullan.

Media releases and speeches are available on AusAID's website www.ausaid.gov.au

Media Contact:
Sam Casey (Mr McMullan's office)
0421 697 660

AusAID Public Affairs
0417 680 590

SOURCE: AusAID