Speech at Convention on Cluster Munitions Signing Conference (OCCM)

Official Opening.  

Check against delivery.

The Minister’s address was based on the following speaking points. 

• Today we have reached the end of the beginning. It is a proud moment. At the same time, this is when the real work begins. We need to proceed at full speed ahead to secure the full implementation of the Convention. We need to scale up our efforts to survey and clear the areas contaminated by cluster munitions remnants. 
• We now call for renewed efforts to reach the thousands of victims who are in need of adequate care and rehabilitation, as well as fulfilment of their rights. 
• We must press ahead towards the safe and effective destruction of millions of submunitions in stockpiles all over the world.  
• Norway will allocate special funds and resources to support the work needed for the Convention to enter into force and the first Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty. 
• A few weeks ago the Norwegian Parliament gave its consent to the implementation of the Convention in Norwegian law. This meant that on signing the Convention, Norway also ratified it. We formally state that we will apply Article 1 of the Convention, pending its entry into force, in accordance with Article 18. 

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• We see many resemblances between the Convention on Cluster Munitions and the Mine Ban Treaty. The groundbreaking work we did then helped pave the way for the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Let us remember what a struggle it was back in 1997 even to include a reference to mine victims. In the Convention that we are signing today, the rights of victims have a prominent place. This almost went without saying, thus demonstrating how the rights of victims have been strengthened in a profound way.  
• So we will conclude today’s session by celebrating that we have a new international disarmament treaty, a treaty that will improve the lives and livelihoods of thousands of people, a treaty that will hopefully save the lives of thousands of people in the future – people who can now be protected from this indiscriminate and deadly weapon.   
• And let us remember that this is the fruit of collective efforts. I would like to thank each and every one of the actors who have worked so hard to reach this agreement. Let us maintain, strengthen and further expand our alliance.  
• New tasks in the area of disarmament lie ahead – from small arms to the still daunting task of nuclear disarmament, which is more important than ever. I am pleased that so many of you have come to Oslo to celebrate this occasion with us.   

Thank you.