The Kingdom of Tonga became the newest State Party to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC)this month in Geneva, Switzerland.
The Convention prohibits the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personnel mines. It is considered one of the world’s most successful humanitarian disarmament instruments.
Tonga’s accession was deposited earlier this year on 26 June and entered into force on Monday 1 December, coinciding with the opening with the opening of the Twenty-Second Meeting of the States Parties (22MSP) at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
At the 22MSP, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Permanent Mission of Tonga to the United Nations (New York), Mr. Leonaitasi Kuluni. reaffirmed Tonga’s commitment to the protection of civilians and solidarity with communities affected by anti-personnel mines.
“Tonga may be a small nation, but our values and our responsibilities are clear. Our accession reflects our firm belief that every State, regardless of size or circumstance, must contribute to building a safer world for future generations,” he said.
The Convention was adopted in 1997 and entered into force in 1999.
Since then, States Parties have destroyed more than 53 million anti-personnel mines and released billions of square meters of land for safe and productive use.
