Tokyo Guidelines for International Efforts
on Anti-Personnel Landmines in the Humanitarian Field

I. Background and a Goal

1. The issue of anti-personnel landmines is not only a matter of humanitarian concern, but it is a threat to peace and stability, and an obstacle to reconstruction and development. The international community should recognize the strong need to further address the problems of anti- personnel landmines through international cooperation.
2. Against the background concisely described above, the "Tokyo Conference of Anti-Personnel Landmines" was held on March 6 and 7, 1997. The following guidelines were formulated as the result of this conference, which was the first comprehensive discussion to strengthen international efforts on the problems of anti-personnel landmines.
3. The guidelines aims to reduce substantially the number of mine victims, with the ultimate goal of zero victims.

II. Main points of the "Guidelines"

1. Demining

a) Ownership and Partnership

- Mine infested countries themselves should play a key role based on the idea of ownership.
- Donor countries, the relevant UN agencies, other international organizations and NGOs should support demining activities bearing the importance of partnership in mind.

b) UN as a Focal Point

- The international community should strengthen the role of the UN for better coordination in assisting demining activities.

c) Consideration the Reconstruction Process

- The international community should take into consideration the impact of the anti-personnel landmine problem on the process of reconstruction and development.

2. Development of Technologies for Mine Detection and Removal

a) Development of Technologies

- The international community should strengthen efforts to develop usable and cost-effective technologies. Recognizing the imperative for a "two-track" approach, it is crucial to determine the most appropriate and effective method of combining existing technologies in a short-term track (tool-box approach), and to develop new technologies in a mid-term track.

b) UN Technology Registration Database

- Recognizing the necessity to share information on technologies for mine detection and removal, UN should establish a technology registration database.

3. Assistance to Victims

a) Comprehensive Approach

- International community should assist mine infested countries in developing national capacities to manage and execute comprehensive programs for victims.

b) Mine Information Systems

- Mine Information Systems should be established to collect and analyze information at the local level for the purpose of assisting victims and preventing further human suffering by anti-personnel landmines.