KPL
On 14 September 2026, in Vientiane, the Third Review Conference of the Convention on Cluster Munitions officially opened at the National Convention Centre, chaired and hosted by the Government of the Lao PDR under the theme: "Accelerating Progress Towards a World Free from the Threat of Cluster Munitions".
On 14 September 2026, in Vientiane, the Third Review Conference of the Convention on Cluster Munitions officially opened at the National Convention Centre, chaired and hosted by the Government of the Lao PDR under the theme: "Accelerating Progress Towards a World Free from the Threat of Cluster Munitions".
At the official opening ceremony, Mr Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister of the Lao PDR, delivered the opening address, attended by delegations from states parties, international organisations, observer states, and more than 800 participants from domestic and international communities.
This conference marks the "CCM Homecoming", as the Lao PDR was honoured to host the First Meeting of States Parties in 2010. The international community's trust in appointing the Lao PDR as chair and host once again demonstrates the global community's confidence in Laos' leadership role within this international treaty process.
The Prime Minister of the Lao PDR expressed the pride of the Government and people of Laos in hosting this significant international conference once again. It holds historical importance for the Lao PDR and provides an opportunity for states parties to jointly review the outcomes of fulfilling obligations under the treaty, serving as a foundation to determine priority action plans and set future directions towards the permanent eradication of this lethal weapon.
He further emphasised that amidst rapidly changing international circumstances—particularly wars and armed conflicts occurring in various regions across the globe—the goals and values of our international treaty are being tested. The experience of the Lao PDR clearly proves that the use of such lethal weapons back then continues to impact generations today. Therefore, he called upon the global community to elevate their shared humanitarian responsibility to ensure that no other country has to face the same fate as the Lao PDR.
The Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) was adopted in Dublin, Ireland, in 2008 and officially entered into force in 2010. Currently, there are 124 states parties and signatories in total. The Third Review Conference is being held over a five-day period, from 14 to 18 September 2026, to review progress made over the past five years while setting new directions and priorities for the convention, alongside side events and exhibitions.
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