Conventional Weapons
Thirteenth Meeting of of States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions
October 1, 2025
- The Thirteenth Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM), to which Japan is also a State Party, was held in Geneva, Switzerland, from September 16 to 19, 2025.
- At this meeting, discussions were held based on the Lausanne Action Plan adopted at the Second Review Conference (held in 2020 and 2021), regarding the progress seen in various areas such as the universalization of the Convention, stockpile destruction, clearance of cluster munition remnants, risk reduction education, victim assistance, and international cooperation, as well as issues such as the extension requests of implementation deadline.
- Following Lithuania's withdrawal from the Convention in March this year, relevant statements were made by participating States Parties and other stakeholders. On the other hand, since the Twelfth Meeting of States Parties held last year until this meeting, Vanuatu newly concluded the Convention, and participating States Parties made statements and welcomed its accession.
- At the meeting, Japan was represented by Ambassador ICHIKAWA Tomiko, Permanent Representative to the Conference on Disarmament, as the head of the delegation and participated in the discussions. In her statement for the general exchange of views, Ambassador Ichikawa referred to the situation surrounding the universalization of the Convention and pointed out the importance of promoting the universalization and implementation of the Convention, considering that harm caused by cluster munitions is occurring worldwide, including in Ukraine. She also urged States Parties to renew their determination towards“a world free of the casualties, suffering and socio-economic impacts caused by cluster munitions” and reiterated the call for all States not Parties to promptly conclude the Convention. Furthermore, while introducing Japan’s efforts in areas such as unexploded ordnance clearance, victim assistance, and risk reduction education, she demonstrated a commitment to continue contributing to the achievement of the Convention's goals in cooperation with other States Parties.
- The meeting decided to hold the Third Review Conference in Vientiane, Lao PDR, in September 2026, and to hold Preparatory Meetings for the Review Conference in March and July 2026.