Belgium

Belgium signed the Convention on 3 December 1997, ratified it on 4 September 1998,with the Convention entering into force for Belgium on 1 March 1999.

Obligations under the Convention

Article 3 (Retained Mines)

In its initial transparency report submitted on 15 August 1999, Belgium reported stockpiled anti-personnel mines under its ownership or possession or under its jurisdiction or control.

Notwithstanding the obligation to destroy all stockpiled anti-personnel mines, the Convention permits the retention of the minimum number of anti-personnel mines absolutely necessary for the development of and training in mine detection, mine clearance, or mine destruction techniques.

As of 2020, Belgium reported having retained 2,044 anti-personnel mines for these permitted purposes. These mines are retained for education and training of Explosive Ordnance Disposal specialists and deminers with live ammunition, as well as for demolition exercises.

Article 4 (Stockpile Destruction)

In its transparency report submitted on 30 April 2004, Belgium reported that it had completed the destruction of all stockpiled anti-personnel mines.

Article 5 (Mine Clearance)

Belgium has not reported any areas under its jurisdiction or control in which anti-personnel mines are known or suspected to be emplaced.

Article 6 (Cooperation and Assistance)

Article 6 of the Convention indicates that “Each State Party in a position to do so shall provide assistance for mine clearance and related activities […], the care and rehabilitation, and social and economic reintegration, of mine victims and for mine awareness programs […], the destruction of stockpiled anti-personnel mines, […] with a view to ensuring the full and prompt implementation of agreed assistance programs.”

In this regard Belgium routinely engages in such cooperation and assistance. The latest statement on Article 6 for this State Party can be found on this page.

Article 7 (Transparency)

Annually and no later than 30 April, each State Party is to update information covering the previous calendar year. The latest Article 7 reports for this State Party can be found on this page.

Article 9 (National Legislation)

Each State Party is to take all appropriate legal, administrative and other measures, including the imposition of penal sanctions, to prevent and suppress any activity prohibited to a State Party under this Convention undertaken by persons or on territory under its jurisdiction or control.

Belgium has reported having established national implementation measures or that it considers existing legislation to be sufficient.

Princess Astrid of Belgium to serve as Special Envoy of the Convention

In 2017, Her Royal Highness Princess Astrid of Belgium, a longtime advocate of landmine survivors’ rights and who has participated in the work of the Convention since 2000, agreed to add her voice asSpecial Envoy in worldwide efforts to promote the Convention and its norms.

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Cartagena Summit - Field trip to Bajo Grande and REI

Presidency of the 14MSP

Belgium has twice held the Presidency of the Convention, most recently in 2015. H.E. Bertrand de Crombrugghe, Ambassador of Belgium a to the UN in Geneva, presided over the 14MSP.

Belgium 14MSP President Commbruge Didier Reynders Princess Astrid

Presidency of the 4MSP

Belgium first held the presidency in 2002. H.E. Jean Lint Permanent Representative of Belgium to the Conference on Disarmament led the work of the States Parties as President of the 4MSP - Photo, Bruce McRae