The Oslo Convention on Cluster Munitions is the most recent multilateral instrument which addresses the problem of conventional weapons with indiscriminate effects.
As such, it is a treaty that falls under Disarmament Law as well as international Humanitarian Law. Its development reaffirms the validity of the open multilateral format - unconstrained by the rule that calls for strict consensus which weighs down various disarmament fora.
It also highlights once again the need for an alliance among governments, multilateral organizations and civil society to bring about advances in Human Security and in the permanent search for peace and international security.
Cluster Munitions is a type of conventional weapon that results in civilian victims, both during and after a conflict. Cluster Munitions have high failure rates, which means that up to 30% of the sub-munitions contained in cluster bombs or grenades do not explode after having been launched from planes, helicopters, missiles or artillery rockets.
Unexploded submunitions have contaminated extensive areas in conflict zones and continue to threaten - in certain countries for decades - civilian populations at a level comparable with those of anti-personnel land mines.
Moldova ratified the international Convention banning cluster munitions on 16 February, bringing the total number of ratifications to 30 and triggering entry into force on 1 August 2010, when the Convention will become binding international law.
A total of 104 countries have signed the Convention since it opened for signature in Oslo in December 2008.
The Convention comprehensively bans use, production, and transfer of cluster munitions and sets strict deadlines for stockpile destruction and clearance of contaminated land. In addition, the Convention obliges states to thourougly assist survivors and affected communities.
After the Convention on Cluster Munitions enters into force on 1 August, the next milestone will be the First Meeting of States Parties (MSP), scheduled to be held in Lao PDR on 8-12 November, 2010. Lao PDR is the country most heavily contaminated by cluster munitions.
Even before the Convention's entry into force, states have already begun to implement some of its provisions, destruction of cluster munitions stockpiles and clearance of cluster contamination in its territories.
The purpose of the Santiago meeting, organized with the hospices of the Government of the kingdom of Norway and the assistance of the UNDP, is to:
i) Foster the universalization of the instrument through signing and ratification by a maximum number of countries and provide updates on steps they are taking to adhere to it;
ii) Get ahead with the preparation process of the first MSP;
iii) Promote the commitment of the States to the objectives and principles of the Convention; and
iv) focus on matters related to cooperation and assistance.