At a global summit presided over by the UK, actors Daniel Craig, a UN ambassador, and FCDO Minister Graham Stuart, a member of parliament, will today urge for a halt to the use of cluster munitions worldwide.
In wars all around the globe, such as those in Syria, Libya, and Ukraine, cluster bombs continue to murder and maim people, often leaving their victims with permanent damage. Years after a battle, unexploded ordnance still poses a hazard to civilian life, impeding development and rehabilitation efforts.
Currently, the UK is in charge of the Convention on Cluster Munitions, an international pact that was approved by 110 nations and aims to ban the use of these deadly weapons. In order to eliminate these weapons from the globe, educate communities about the risks connected with their use, and assist survivors and their families, this conference will bring together the worldwide community and organizations from the civil society.
As the Global Advocate for the Elimination of Mines and Explosive Hazards for the United Nations, Daniel Craig will start the conference with a video address with the Minister.
In his words, Daniel Craig:
When these lethal weapons are utilized, civilians are all too often the ones who suffer. I’ve seen how long damage from cluster bombs lasts through my work with the United Nations Mine Action Service.
Unbelievably, cluster bombs are still being used today, most notably in Ukraine.
Cluster munitions are cruel weapons that are mostly used on civilian populations to sow fear and worry; countries that still use and manufacture them ought to cease doing so. It is up to us to put in the effort, support one another, and do all we can to aid in the recovery of people from the catastrophic effects of these weapons.
The following is what Graham Stuart, FCDO’s Minister of Counter-Proliferation, is anticipated to say:
These weapons of war have claimed the lives of far too many innocent people. The United Kingdom has advanced efforts to completely eradicate them under our Presidency.
The world becomes safer with each action taken in accordance with this Convention, yet far too many nations continue to hold on to their use of cluster bombs. As we did in March when we denounced their deployment in the illegitimate Russian invasion of Ukraine, we will keep speaking out against these lethal weapons.
We carried out this action on behalf of the Convention on Cluster Munitions Parties. Since the Convention’s founding 14 years ago, it has been ratified by 110 State Parties, 13 States have signed on to its goals but not yet ratified it, and 35 States have destroyed their stocks of cluster bombs.
The UK is a strong proponent of mine action and continues to make significant investments in the removal of anti-personnel mines, cluster bombs, and other explosive remains of war across the globe. The third phase of the UK’s
Global Mine Action Programme, which addresses the deadly legacy of these weapons, will have a budget of up to £100 million, the country said in June 2022.