Overview

The 2009 Meeting of the High Contracting Parties to the Convention took note of the report of the Chairperson of the GGE on the negotiations in the Group, including his consolidated text, titled “Draft Protocol on Cluster Munitions”. The Meeting of the High Contracting Parties also decided that the Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) will continue its negotiations, informed by the Chairperson’s consolidated text dated 26 August 2009 (document CCW/MSP/2009/WP.1, titled “Draft Protocol on Cluster Munitions”), and taking into account document CCW/GGE/2009-II/2, Annex I, (titled “Cluster Munitions”), and other past, present and future proposals by delegations, to address urgently the humanitarian impact of cluster munitions, while striking a balance between military and humanitarian considerations.

The GGE would conclude its negotiations as rapidly as possible and report to the next Meeting of the High Contracting Parties. The work of the GGE will be supported by experts on issues relevant to the negotiations.

The 2009 Meeting of the High Contracting Parties to the Convention also decided that the Fourth Review Conference of the High Contracting Parties to the Convention will take place in 2011. The Meeting decided that the Chairperson-designate of the 2010 Meeting of the High Contracting Parties shall undertake consultations during the intersessional period on the preparation of the Fourth Review Conference and shall report to the next Meeting of the States Parties.

The 2009 Meeting of the High Contracting Parties also decided that the GGE would meet from 12 to 16 April 2010 and from 30 August to 3 September 2010, and would be presided over by Minister Jesus S. Domingo of the Philippines as Chairperson.