The 21st Meeting of the States Parties (21 MSP) held in Geneva
In the period from November 20 to 24, 2023, the Twenty-First Meeting of the States Parties to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction (Ottawa Convention) was held at the United Nations Palace in Geneva.
The delegation of the Republic of Serbia consisted of representatives of the Serbian Mine Action Centre (SMAC), the Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veterans and Social Affairs, as well as the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Serbia to the UN Office in Geneva.
The Republic of Serbia expressed a strong commitment to the fulfilment of all obligations arising from the Ottawa Convention.
Regarding the implementation of Article 5, SMAC representative underscored in her statement the efforts and results that Serbia is achieving on this issue in order to advance security to its population, as well as to enhance global human security.
Bearing in mind the complexity of the current mine situation, in particular the problem of newly discovered areas suspected of being contaminated by groups of mines in the Municipality of Bujanovac, and given that the deadline that expires on December 31, 2024, Serbia will not be able to fulfill, it was announced that, by March 2024, Serbia will submit a new extension request.
The representative of the Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veterans and Social Affairs reported on the activities Serbia is conducting related to mine victims assistance, above all, rehabilitation, social integration, spa climatic recovery and financial support to relevant associations.
