EU Statement

Thirteenth Meeting of States Parties 

to the Convention on Cluster Munitions

Geneva, 16 – 19 September 2025

Mr. President,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. 

The candidate countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, and the Republic of Moldova align themselves with this statement.

We wish to congratulate you, Ambassador Carlos D. Sorreta, Permanent Representative of Philippines, on assuming the role of President of the Thirteen Meeting of the States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM). We look forward to your stewardship and assure you of our full support and cooperation in advancing this Convention. 

Mr. President,

First of all, we welcome Vanuatu as a new State Party to this Convention and look forward to working with its delegation.

This year marks the fifteenth anniversary of the Convention’s entry into force – a significant milestone in our shared global commitment to realizing its noble objectives. The Convention has significantly contributed to alleviating human suffering and the humanitarian impact of these weapons, while advancing the cause of humanitarian disarmament. We commend the progress achieved by States Parties in its implementation. Our collective efforts and commitment to international humanitarian law, underscore the importance of effective measures to mitigate and ultimately prevent the harm caused by unexploded ordnance.

The European Union reaffirms its steadfast commitment to the humanitarian objectives pursued by the CCM and by other international disarmament instruments: to end the suffering caused by the devastating impacts of explosive remnants of war, including cluster munitions, protect civilians, and advance the Sustainable Development Goals. 

In the current geopolitical context, it is crucial that humanitarian instruments remain strong with full compliance with all obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law. In light of recent developments, we are convinced that continued adherence to the CCM and its principles is vital for this important humanitarian instrument.

The humanitarian impact of cluster munitions continues to be felt. We are gravely concerned by reports, including those highlighted in the 2024 Cluster Munition Monitor, which confirm that the use of these weapons tragically persists in recent conflicts. The indiscriminate use of these weapons continues to cause unacceptable harm to civilians, including children, and creates long-term contamination that delays recovery and development. 

In this regard, we reiterate our strong condemnation of Russia’s ongoing unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine in blatant violation of international law, including the UN Charter. Credible reports show that cluster munitions have been used in Ukraine. Russian forces continued use of cluster munitions in densely populated urban areas is particularly alarming. The EU strongly condemns Russia’s continued air and missile attacks against Ukraine’s civilians and civilian infrastructure, including unacceptable targeting of the energy sector. Schools, medical facilities, and other civilian infrastructure have increasingly come under attack by Russian forces in Ukraine. We call on Russia to immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces, military equipment and proxies from the entire territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders. Russia’s war and its repercussions for European and global security constitute an existential challenge for the European Union. The EU reiterates its support for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine based on the principles of the UN Charter and international law. 

Mr. President,

We are pleased to see that all of the 42 States Parties that have stockpiled cluster munitions have now completed destruction of those stocks, collectively destroying nearly 1.5 million cluster munitions containing 179 million sub-munitions. The full implementation of Article 3 obligations by all States Parties marked a significant milestone in the Convention’s history. This achievement sends a strong signal: the international community can effectively eliminate these weapons when political will and cooperation converge.

The EU also welcomes progress being made in clearance of contaminated areas by cluster munition remnants, but much remains to be done. We call on States Parties with outstanding obligations to accelerate their efforts and to share best practices, including on resource mobilisation and risk reduction. 

A particular priority remains Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE), which is saving lives every day. We encourage all States Parties to mainstream EORE in their national action plans and to ensure that persons or communities in vulnerable situations are reached.

The EU and its Member States remain among the largest donors to mine action, providing sustained political, financial and technical support for clearance, stockpile destruction, victim assistance and risk education, including in particular in the context of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and other affected regions.

We also recall that victim assistance is not only a legal obligation, but a moral imperative. We encourage States Parties to integrate these measures into national health, social and development policies in a gender-responsive and inclusive manner. Where possible, we support seeking synergies in the implementation of the CCM with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and other relevant disarmament instruments, such as the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention and CCW Protocol V, especially on victim assistance, clearance, and survey.

We also welcome the commitment to gender mainstreaming across the Convention as decided by States Parties at the Second Review Conference. An inclusive and gender-balanced approach in implementation activities at the national level and in the Convention’s machinery, including its meetings, remains crucial and should be further advanced.

We are also concerned about the dire financial situation of the Convention. The payment of annual contributions in full and on time is part of the commitment of each State Party to the objectives of the Convention on Cluster Munitions.

The EU expresses our appreciation for partners from across the sector including United Nations entities, the ICRC, mine action operators and civil society who are in the front line in ensuring effective implementation of the Convention, through their efforts in clearance, stockpile destruction, risk education, victim assistance and advocacy. The EU and its Member States have a long history of support for mine action, including the Oslo Action Plan that benefits heavily mine-affected countries and regions of the world. We will continue to support States Parties as they revise or develop inclusive national action plans.

I thank you, Mr. President.