First Preparatory Meeting. Third Review Conference on the Convention on Cluster Munitions (3RC CCM), 30.03.2026.
Agenda point 7 (b) - CCM Action Plan 2027-2031
Statement by Norway, delivered by
Mr Kristian SVANES
First Secretary, CD / Humanitarian affairs
Check against deliveries
30.03.2026
President,
The working paper is a strong starting point for taking the Vientiane Capital Action Plan forward. Norway supports a focused, results-oriented and resource-aware plan. It should turn the Convention’s obligations into practical national action, and it should strengthen our collective efforts, including on universalization.
The new Action Plan should build on what worked well in the Lausanne Action Plan. It should stay streamlined and manageable. That will make it clearer, and support national ownership in all affected States Parties.
We support a stronger focus on measurable progress, including indicators and milestones—so long as they are practical and do not create unnecessary reporting burdens.
Cross-cutting priorities also need to remain at the centre of our work. This includes universalization, survivor-centred approaches, and implementation that is gender-, age- and disability-responsive.
Norway also wants to highlight the need to increase survey and clearance, using updated and efficient methodologies. This is essential to speed up progress—and to reduce the need for avoidable requests for deadline extensions.
We also encourage a stronger focus on in-country coordination, including country coalitions. Experience shows that regular and structured dialogue between national authorities, operators and donors is critical. The Action Plan should more clearly encourage such mechanisms, reflect best practices, and still allow flexibility in how they are set up and used.
Finally, Norway sees clear value in stronger synergies with related frameworks, including the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC). One point to consider is a dedicated Special Envoy for universalization, which has proven useful for outreach and political engagement. We also note the work under that Convention to improve access to funding for clearance in countries that struggle to attract sufficient resources to meet their obligations. Norway is leading the working group on a feasibility study for the establishment of a voluntary trust fund under the APMBC. We will share preliminary recommendations with CCM States Parties as they become available.
In closing, the Vientiane Capital Action Plan is an opportunity to strengthen implementation, increase impact on the ground, and advance universalization. Norway will continue to engage constructively in this process.
Thank you.