Date: 2-4 December 2008
Host: Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Location: City Hall, Oslo, Norway
Official Website: Convention on Cluster Munitions Signing Conference
The CCM Signing Conference was one of the most important international events of 2008, an historic moment to remember forever. 94 countries signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions at the Signing Conference in Oslo. Signatories of the treaty include dozens of users, producers and stockpilers and affected states including Afghanistan (in a surprising last-minute decision by President Karzai), Lao PDR, and Lebanon. With 18 of the 26 NATO countries signing the treaty, future use by the US will be severely hampered. Other countries not signing in Oslo also felt the effect of the two day conference with Brazil’s Foreign Minister telling a congressional hearing that the government is now “re-examining its position” which could result in it signing in the near future.
“This is an historic moment, the world has come together and today we have banned cluster bombs forever” said Thomas Nash, coordinator of the Cluster Munition Coalition. “We expect everyone in this movement to keep the focus and momentum going. The sooner thirty governments ratify the treaty, the sooner this remarkable achievement translates into action to save lives.”
CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS
Wednesday, 3 December 2008
(Oslo, 3 December 2008) - 92 countries signed the new Convention on Cluster Munitions today in a truly historic and inspiring ceremony in Oslo. The day was filled with positive statements, congratulations, and thanks for all the hard work done throughout the Oslo Process - in particular by Norway, the core group, and the CMC. It was a day of hope and celebration, but one that also marked the beginning of future work to ensure the treaty will make the incredible impact on the world that was so often mentioned today in Oslo.
Thursday, 4 December 2008
(Oslo, 4 December 2008) - Following yesterday’s stirring commencement of the Oslo Signing Ceremony, statements in support of the CCM continued today with the same enthusiasm, congratulations, and hope for the future.
If yesterday felt like the proud celebration of the achievement of the CCM, today felt more like the celebration of the work of the CMC. The role of civil society and the Cluster Munition Coalition was resoundingly applauded in nearly every statement. Repeatedly, delegations praised the effective contribution of the CMC and the essential partnership between governments and civil society in bringing about the swift and significant result contained in the CCM.
SIDE EVENTS
Oslo International Parliamentary Forum
Tuesday, 2 December 2008, 14:00-17:00, Norwegian Parliament
The Oslo International Parliamentary Forum took place on 2 December, the day prior to the Oslo Signing Conference for the Convention on Cluster Munitions. The event was hosted by Norwegian parliamentarian Bjørn Jacobsen and was attended by 18 parliamentarians from 13 countries. It began with an introduction from Bjørn Jacobsen who reminded the participants that parliamentary and civil society partnership on this issue had been key to its success. Campaigners from the BAN BUS then presented an overview of their campaigning work throughout Europe over the last two months.
Ecumenical Service with Greetings from Representatives of other Faith Communities
Tuesday, 2 December 2008, 17:30-18:30, Trefoldighetskirken (Trinity Church)
The signing conference for the Convention on Cluster Munitions opened with a Christian service at the Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity in Oslo. Greetings from representatives of Buddhist, Islamic and Christian Orthodox communities were also given. The European Council of Religious Leaders organised the service together with the Church of Norway and the Christian Council of Norway. Politicians, diplomats, international civil society representatives, activists, survivors, people of faith and religious leaders together with the inhabitants of Oslo expressed their solidarity with the affected people and communities and promised to continue to work for implementing the convention and assisting the affected.
PHOTOS
For more photos of the conference and the various CMC side events check out the following flickr pages:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/clustermunitioncoalition/collections/72157610712503316/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/anzclusters/collections/72157610319661885/
Official photos from the signing room can be downloaded from this website:
http://kunder.gyro.no/osloccm/
CONFERENCE DOCUMENTS
List of Conference Delegates
Biographies of Civic Society Participants
CMC Opening Statement, Thomas Nash, 3 December 2008
CMC Opening Statement, Branislav Kapetanovic, 3 December 2008
CMC Statement, Steve Goose, 3 December 2008
CMC Statement, Margaret Arach Orech, 3 December 2008
CMC Statement, Khaled Yamout and Lamis Zein, 4 December 2008
CMC Statement, Maria Pia Devoto, 4 December 2008 (English)
CMC Statement, Maria Pia Devoto, 4 December 2008 (Spanish)
Ban Advocates Statement, 4 December 2008
CMC Closing Statement, Richard Moyes, 4 December 2008
SCHEDULE FOR CIVIC SOCIETY PARTICIPANTS
Monday, 1 December 2008:
18:00-21:00 - Registration, CMC Welcome Event and Dinner, Clarion Hotel Royal Christiana
Tuesday, 2 December 2008:
9:00-16:30 - CMC Planning and Orientation Meeting, Quality Hotel 33
14:00-17:00 - Parliamentary Forum, Stortinget/Norwegian Parliament
16:20-16:30 - Ban Bus arrives in Oslo, Quality Hotel 33
17:30-18:30 - Ecumenical Service with Greetings from Representatives of other Faith Communities, Trefoldighetskirken (Trinity Church)
19:00-21:00 - Welcome Reception hosted by Minister of Defence Anne-Grethe Strøm Erichsen, Gamle Logen, Grev Wedels plass 2
20:00-22:00 - Campaigners with stalls set up in the NGO tent, Fridtjof Nansens plass
Wednesday, 3 December 2008
8:30-19:00 - Campaigners run stalls, displays and activities outside the City Hall, Fridtjof Nansens plass
10:00-11:00 - Opening Ceremony, City Hall, Main Hall
11:00-13:00 - General Debate Session I (Main Hall), Country Signing (Munch Room), City Hall, Main Hall and Munch Room
11:15-11:45 - Press Conference (closed event), City Hall
11:45-12:15 - “We made it happen” photo call (closed event), Outside City Hall
12:15-13:15 - Media Briefing: Survivor Panel (closed event), City Hall
13:00-14:30 - Lunch, City Hall, banquet halls
14:30-18:00 - General Debate Session II (Main Hall), Country Signing (Munch Room), City Hall, Main Hall and Munch Room
17:30-19:00 - Outdoor Concert, Fridtjof Nansens plass
18:10 - Appeal by Norway’s Minister of Foreign Affairs on outdoor stage, Fridtjof Nansens plass
19:00-21:00 - Dinner for Ministers and heads of delegation (by invitation only), Akershus Castle
19:00-21:00 - Reception by Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for all delegates, Plaza Hotel
Thursday, 4 December 2008
9:30-13:00 - General Debate Session III (Main Hall), Country Signing continues (Munch Room), City Hall, Main Hall and Munch Room
13:00-14:30 - Lunch, City Hall, banquet halls
14:30-17:50 - General Debate Session IV, City Hall, Main Hall
17:50-18:00 - Closing Ceremony, City Hall, Main Hall
18:30- 21.00 - Reception by the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund in Cooperation with the CMC, Opera House
Friday, 5 December 2008
Departure
MEDIA
Voices from Oslo - Conference MP3 Files
Convention on Cluster Munitions Signing Conference - Media Report