On 24 May 2019, delegations convened for their first preparatory meeting in advance of the Convention's 25-29 November 2019 Oslo Review Conference. The First Preparatory Meeting took place in Geneva, at the World Meteorological Building (WMO).
1. Opening of the First Preparatory Meeting
The meeting was opened by the President of the Fourth Review Conference, H.E. Hans Brattskar, Ambassador of Norway to the United Nations in Geneva.
2. Adoption of the agenda of the First Preparatory Meeting
The meeting adopted its agenda.
First Preparatory Meeting provisional agenda
3. Consideration of a draft agenda and organisation of work for the Fourth Review Conference
The meeting recommended the Fourth Review Conference draft agenda for adoption and the President shared his initial ideas regarding the development of a draft programme for the Fourth Review Conference.
Fourth Review Conference draft agenda
4. Vice-Presidents of the Fourth Review Conference
The meeting was notified that, in keeping with past practice, the States Parties serving as senior members of the Convention's four Committees at the time of the Review Conference would be elected Vice-Presidents, namely Belgium, Colombia, Mozambique, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Thailand and Zambia.
5. Exchange of view on the preparation of documents for the Fourth Review Conference
The President presented his vision and plans for the three key substantive documents that will be adopted at the Fourth Review Conference: the Review of the Operation and Status of the Convention 2014-2019, the Oslo Action Plan and the Oslo Political Declaration. The President provided an update on the status of these documents and on the process ahead.
Concept note on Fourth Review Conference substantive documents
Draft Review of the Status and Operation of the Convention 2014-2019
The President provided delegations with the opportunity to exchange views on the preparation of a review of the operation and status of the Convention and on the Oslo Action Plan. The following delegations shared views regarding the preparation of documents for the Fourth Review Conference:
- Chile
- European Union
- Netherlands
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom
- Mozambique
- Belgium
- Turkey
- ICRC
- ICBL
- Landmine 2025 campaign
- Germany
- GICHD
- Japan
- Iraq
- Mexico
- Algeria
6. Updates on logistical and administrative matters
Norway provided an update on logistical and administrative matters for the Fourth Review Conference.
7. Status of assessed contributions to the Fourth Review Conference
The President introduced matters related to assessed contributions for the Fourth Review Conference and expressed his concern regarding the contributions' low collecting rate. He underlined the importance of States Parties promptly paying assessed contributions so that preparations for the Review Conference can go ahead as planned. The President indicated that he will continue monitoring the financial situation and maintain a dialogue with States Parties on this issue.
UNODA provided an overview of the status of assessed contributions for the Fourth Review Conference.
The following delegations took the floor and provided their views on the status of assessed contributions:
- Netherlands
- Belgium
8. Other matters
The President provided updates on a number of other matters also related to the work of the Fourth Review Conference: the Sponsorship Programme, Convention's future meeting dates, efforts to propose a set of office-holders at the Fourth Review Conference.
Sponsorship Programme
Australia, in its capacity as Coordinator of the Convention's Sponsorship Programme provided an update on the programme.
Proposed dates for the Convention's future meetings
The President recalled that on the last day of the 17MSP, Sudan made the offer to preside over the Eighteenth Meeting of the States Parties (18MSP) in 2020. Sudan took the floor to confirm its candidature and announced that the 18MSP would tentatively be held the week of 23 November 2020. Sudan also indicated that dates for intersessional meetings would be proposed at a later stage.
- Sudan
In addition, another State Party took the floor to express its interest in presiding over the Nineteenth Meeting of the States Parties.
Efforts to propose a set of office-holders at the Fourth Review Conference
The President recalled that eight new Committee members will need to be elected at the Fourth Review Conference and reminded delegations to notify the President of their interest by 21 June 2019.