The Convention on Cluster Munitions enters into force and becomes binding international law on 1 August 2010. Once the Convention takes effect, states will be bound by all of its terms, and must begin to meet deadlines for clearance of contaminated land and destruction of remaining stockpiles of cluster munitions. Click here for up-to-date official UN statements regarding the Convention on Cluster Munitions.
The "Oslo Process"
The cluster munitions ban process, also known as the "Oslo Process," began in February 2007 in Oslo, Norway. At this time, 46 nations issued the "Oslo Declaration." Subsequently, the Oslo Process held meetings in Lima in May 2007 and Vienna in December 2007. In February 2008, 79 countries adopted the "Wellington Declaration", setting forth the principles to be included in the Convention on Cluster Munitions. Delegates from 107 nations agreed to the final draft of the treaty at the end of a ten-day meeting held in May 2008 in Dublin.
"Oslo Process" Statements and Documents
1) Oslo Conference (22-23 February 2007)
Declaration of the Oslo Conference on Cluster Munitions (2007)
2) Lima Conference (23-25 May 2007)
Chairs' discussion text on a legally binding international instrument that will prohibit the use, production, transfer and stockpiling of cluster munitions that cause unacceptable harm to civilians (2007)
3) Vienna Conference (5-7 December 2007)
Vienna Discussion Text
4) Wellington Conference (18-22 February 2008)
Opening address on behalf of the United Nations Mine Action Team delivered by Ms. Hilde Frafjord Johnson, Deputy Executive Director
Draft Cluster Munitions Convention
Explanatory Notes to the Draft Cluster Munitions Convention
Wellington Declaration
Compendium of proposals submitted by delegations
5) Dublin Conference (19-30 May 2008)
Final Document of the Dublin Conference
Convention on Cluster Munitions (as adopted)
The Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons
The United Nations Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW), concluded in Geneva on October 10, 1980 and entered into force in December 1983. It seeks to prohibit or restrict the use of certain conventional weapons which are considered excessively injurious or whose effects are indiscriminate such as cluster munitions. All CCW States parties meet annually at a Meeting of the States parties to review the status and operation of the Convention and its protocols, and to consider the work done by the Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) which was established in 2001. Watch "Before The Blast" documentary film about the CCW Protocol V. For more information on the CCW, visit the United Nations Office at Geneva site.
CCW Statements and Documents
Final Declaration of the Third Review of Conference of States Parties to the CCW Convention (7-17 November 2006)
Procedural Report of the Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) of States Parties to the CCW Convention (19-22 June 2007)
Group of Governmental Experts of the States Parties to CCW: Draft CCW protocol on cluster munitions, submitted by Germany (2007)
Group of Governmental Experts of the States Parties to CCW: Draft CCW protocol on cluster munitions, Addendum submitted by Germany (2007)
Report of the Meeting of States Parties to the 2007 CCW Convention (7-13 November 2007)
Procedural Report of the 1st meeting of the Group of Governmental Experts (GGE I) of States Parties to the CCW Convention in 2008 (14-18 January 2008)
Procedural Report of the 2nd meeting of the Group of Governmental Experts (GGE II) of States Parties to the CCW Convention in 2008 (7-11 April 2008)
Procedural Report of the 3rd meeting of the Group of Governmental Experts (GGE III) of States Parties to the CCW Convention in 2008 (7-25 July 2008)
Chairperson's Paper on cluster munitions (for discussion during GGE III, 2008)
Report of the Meeting of States Parties to the CCW Convention (12-13 November 2009)