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Cartagena
Summit on a Mine-Free World – Cartagena de Indias, Colombia |
| Novemberr
29 - December 4, 2009 |
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Albania
took part at the Second Review Conference of the Anti-Personnel
Mine Ban Convention or otherwise called the Cartagena
Summit on a Mine-Free World, which was held from 29 November
to 4 December 2009 in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia.
One-hundred-twenty-seven States took part in the Summit
with over 40 represented at a high political level.
In total over 1,000 delegates took part in what stands
as one of the largest gatherings ever of States and
activists dedicated to ending the suffering caused by
anti-personnel mines. In addition, over 35 events took
place parallel to the Summit.
The Albanian Delegation to this Summit was headed by
the Deputy Minister of Defense/ Chairman of AMAC Mr.
Arian Starova and composed of the representatives from
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Mr. Gazmend Turdiu
- General Secretary and Mr. Saimir Repishti - Head of
the UN Section and other representatives from the Albanian
Mine Action Executive (AMAE) Arben Braha-AMAE Director,
Veri Dogjani-Victim Assistance Coordinator and Juliana
Buzi - Programme Specialist.
The Albanian Delegation declared in this important
Summit that Albania has now completed clearance of all
its contaminated areas, by complying so with the Article
5 of the AP Mine Ban Convention. This declaration was
applauded by all delegations attending the Summit. Albania
is one of the first countries with a significant mine
contamination problem to declare completion of clearance
of all areas contaminated with landmines and unexploded
ordnance. After a decade of work and supported by the
international community, more than 16 million square
meters were cleared in northeast Albania, where 12.452
anti-personnel mines, 4.965 unexploded ordnance and
152 anti-tank mines were found and destroyed.
In the margins of the Cartagena Summit, a side event
was held on 1 December 2009, organized in cooperation
with DCA, ITF and AMAE to inform about progress, challenges
and lessons learnt from the Albanian clearance programme.
The side event was attended by representatives of various
donor countries and international organizations including
US State Department, Germany, Canada, Czech Republic,
UNDP, CMC, ICBL, etc. who commended the work of Albania
toward compliance with Article 5 of the Convention.
The Albanian delegation in this Summit reported also
about the progress made to date in assisting the mine
survivors with medical-health rehabilitation and their
socio-economic reintegration. The AMAE Victim Assistance
Coordinator attended a three-day Parallel Programme
on Victim Assistance organized by the Implementation
Support Unit of the GICHD.
Another important aspect of the Summit was the selection
of Albania to take over the Presidency for the Tenth
Meeting of the States Parties to be held in Geneva in
November 2010. The new President-Designate was unanimously
selected Mr. Gazmend Turdiu, General Secretary of the
Albanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The selection
of Albania by the States Parties for the next Presidency
of the Convention is an appreciation of our active and
constructive participation and commitment in the international
work under the convention.
During the High Level Segment of the Summit, the Heads
of Delegations signed the Cartagena Declaration as a
joint document for renewing the political commitment
for a Mine-Free World. In addition, the Cartagena Action
Plan has been adopted by the international community,
finalizing five days of work of the Anti-Personnel Mine
Ban Convention.
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The
fifth “Night of A thousand Dinners” charity event in
Albania
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| November
24, 2009 |
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The “Night of a Thousand Dinners” is a world-wide Mine
Action charity event to help solve the global landmine
crisis. On 24 November 2009, the US Embassy, in Tirana,
in collaboration with AMAE hosted, for the fifth time,
“Night of a Thousand Dinners” with the attendance of diplomats,
government representatives and the Albanian Business.
The aim of this event was to raise money in assistance
of landmine/UXO child survivors so that they are integrated
in the society.
The opening speech was delivered by the Deputy Minister
of Defense, Mr. Arian Starova, who emphasized the invaluable
contribution of the US Government as one of the major
donors of mine clearance operations in Albania. “People
who were injured by mines are in most need of assistance
and some of them might need help for a long time. Thanks
to the support provided in past “Night of a thousand
Dinners” events, several mine survivors and their families
have been generously assisted by granting them the opportunity
to continue their studies, to receive adequate health
care and economic support so that they have a more normal
life”, said Mr. Starova.
UNDP Resident Representative, Gulden Turkoz-Cosslett
said that “Many partners have come together with financial
and technical support to make Albania free from mines”.
She emphasized the leading role of UNDP in building
the capacities for coordination of mine action operations
in the field. She mentioned in particular the crucial
role of US Department of State, Germany, Canada, United
Kingdom, and European Commission in support of the demining
operations in Albania.
Then, Gazmend Geca, a mine survivor, took the floor
and shared his story while making an appeal to help
other mine survivors so that they can integrate in the
society.
Ambassador Withers, by expressing his gratitude to
all the participants for their donations, emphasized
that “It is the children’s right to play with objects
without being afraid that these objects will be explosives
of war and it is our duty to protect their rights”.
The “Night of A Thousand Dinners 2009” succeeded in
raising 12,245 USD in pledges and cash collections,
which will be matched by the US Department of State
through the International Trust Fund in Slovenia. The
funds raised will be used to support the social economic
reintegration of Mine/UXO child survivors.
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Tirana
Workshop on Achieving a Mine-Free South Eastern Europe
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| October
7-9, 2009 |
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The Republic of Albania, with the support of the European
Union, hosted the regional event 'The Tirana Workshop
on a Mine-Free South Eastern Europe', which took place
from 7 to 9 October 2009 at Tirana International Hotel.
Participants in the workshop included representatives
from mine-affected countries in South Eastern Europe,
landmine and unexploded ordnance survivors, donors, local,
international and non-governmental organizations that
have contributed to mine action in the region.
The purpose of Tirana Regional Workshop was to analyze
progress made and challenges remaining in Southeastern
Europe regarding the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention.
The Convention bans anti-personnel mines and requires
states that join the Convention to destroy all existing
stocks; clear all mined areas and assist the survivors.
The workshop featured a high level opening session,
the highlight of which was the announcement by Petrit
Karabina, the Deputy Minister of Defense of the Republic
of Albania, that Albania has completed clearance of
all known mined areas in its territory, in compliance
with Article 5 of the Mine Ban Convention.
"After
a decade of work, Albania is proud to announce today
that it has accomplished the obligations under this
Convention ahead of the deadline", said Karabina.
He went on to say that "More than 14 million square
meters, now released as mine free are now in process
of being handed over to the population. The community
in the northeast of Albania can make use of their land
and feel safe." According to Karabina "Clearance
of the mine contaminated areas, demonstrates once again
Albania's will to promote peace in the Southeastern
Europe."
The workshop highlighted that national ownership and
partnership are essential to ensuring the full implementation
of the Convention. In addition, the importance of strong
partnership with donors, with a regional funding channel
and implementing entity (i.e., the ITF), with a non-governmental
operator (i.e., Danish Church Aid) and the UNDP was
emphasized. It was noted by these actors that success
in the Albanian context has been fuelled by partners
sticking together through good times and bad, all partners
contributing to national plans and donors remaining
committed until the job is done. As well, it was highlighted
that Albania led the way in demonstrating effective
partnerships in the destruction of stockpiled anti-personnel
mines with Albania being the first case where a NATO
Trust Fund was used as a means to channel funds and
support implementation of this aspect of the Convention.
Additionally, the workshop featured a parallel programme
for victims' assistance experts who highlighted challenges
and successes in addressing the rights and needs of
mine survivors in the region. The programme also included
discussions on medical and physical rehabilitation,
psychosocial support and economic empowerment of the
survivors. During his opening remarks, Mr. Ivanaj, Albanian
Deputy Minister of Health, stated that one of the priorities
of the Ministry of Health has been the establishment,
organization, empowering and expending the medical emergency
service as well as improving the quality of the physical
rehabilitation service.
On
7 October 2009, workshop participants had a field visit
to Albania's Kukes Region, the area affected by anti-personnel
mines in the country. The visit was an opportunity to
see work being undertaken on behalf of mine survivors
at the Physiotherapy Unit, Prosthetic unit, and the
Radiology equipment at the Kukes Regional Hospital.
Participants also got an update from district authorities
and non-governmental organizations on mine action in
the region.
The Tirana Workshop on Achieving a Mine Free Southeastern
Europe succeeded in achieving its aims, among which
the empowering collaboration between countries in the
region with the aim of successfully fulfilling the Convention's
obligations and promoting peace in the region.
The organizational and substantive support for this
workshop was provided by the Albanian Mine Action Executive
(AMAE) and the Convention's Implementation Support Unit
(ISU).
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Tirana
Regional Workshop on Achieving a Mine-Free South Eastern
Europe |
| October
7-9, 2009 |
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The Albanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with the support
of the European Union, is hosting the Tirana Regional
Workshop on Achieving a Mine-Free South Eastern Europe,
which will be held at the Tirana International Hotel in
Tirana from 7 to 9 October 2009.
The Tirana Workshop will be one of up to six regional
workshops that will be held in advance of the Second
Review Conference of the Convention on the Prohibition
of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of
Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction. These
workshops are being made possible thanks to assistance
provided by the European Union through a "Joint Action"
that it adopted last year.
The purpose of the Tirana Workshop will be to take
stock of the progress made and challenges that remain
in South Eastern Europe in pursuing the aims of the
Convention, which should contribute significantly to
the success of the Second Review Conference.
Mine affected countries in south-eastern Europe, donors
and local/international organizations that have contributed
to mine action in the region have been invited to this
event.
It is worth emphasizing the importance that this conference
has upon Albania and the region in highlighting the
progress of Albania in fulfilling the commitments under
the Mine Ban Convention and reinforcing the regional
cooperation of mine action extperts.
A one-day Victim Assistance Parallel Programme will
be held also in the margins of this Regional Conference
on 8 October 2009. Victim Assistance experts from the
region and local/international organizations and mine
survivors have been invited to this activity to make
a review of the progress made in the region in the area
of victim assistance and analyzing challenges and lessons
learnt in assisting mine survivors.
The Albanian Mine Action Executive (AMAE), being the
national coordination and monitoring authority for mine
action in the country is making in cooperation with
the Implementation Support Unit (ISU) at the Geneva
International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD)
all the necessary arrangements for the event.
For more information on the Tirana Regional Workshop
please contact at: amaealbania@amae.org.al
Link: Programme
of the Conference (pdf file,
250kB)
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2010
Albania Mine Action Portfolio Meeting |
| August
21, 2009 |
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The Portfolio of Albania Mine Action Projects meeting
is held annually under the leadership of the Albanian
Mine Action Executive. The Global Mine Action Portfolio
represents a resource tool and a reference for donors,
policy-makers, advocates, national and international mine
action implementers. It is published jointly by the United
Nations Mine Action Service, UNDP and UNICEF, and it contains
a snapshot of the national mine action strategy and mine
action project proposals submitted by implementing agencies.
The country-specific proposals contained in the Portfolio
reflect the strategic response developed in the field
to the problem of landmines and explosive remnants of
war (ERW). The projects are organized mainly along the
three mine action pillars: mines/UXO clearance, mine risk
education and victim assistance.
This year's meeting of the Albania Mine Action 2010 Portfolio
took place on 21 August 2009, at AMAE Kukes Regional Office
with the attendance of the Country Portfolio (CPC) Team
Members, which include the representatives of the implementing
agencies from DanChurchAid, Alb-Aid, Albanian Red Cross
and Handicap International.
The AMAE Director chaired the 2010 Portfolio Meeting
in the quality of the Country Portfolio Coordinator.
In his opening remarks, the Director welcomed the participants
and emphasized the importance of the Mine Action Portfolio
as an important tool for mine action resource mobilization
in Albania. Additionally, taking into consideration
that the Albanian Mine Action Programme is now at the
completion phase and toward transition to other demilitarization
programmes, he encouraged the partners in giving active
contribution to the meeting.
The portfolio meeting made an analyses of the progress
in achieving the strategic objectives under various
pillars of the Mine Action Programme and the future
plans, particularly in the area of mine victims assistance
and Mine Risk Education for the years ahead.
The Country Portfolio Team proceeded with the review
of the project proposals as submitted by the respective
organizations. There were 15 Project proposals in total
which were submitted to the Country Portfolio Coordinator
for review by the Portfolio Team. These proposals covered
the areas of coordination and monitoring of mine action
activities, abandoned ammunition cache collection, post-clearance
assessments, support to mine survivors and risk education
activities.
The presentation of the various project proposals was
followed by numerous comments and suggestions for improvement
with the view of having these proposals in line with
the current Mine Action Strategy and being cost effective.
The AMAE Director closed the meeting by thanking all
participants for their valuable contribution. The next
step would be to include the revised project proposals
in the automated system of the Global Mine Action Portfolio
within September 1, 2009. |
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The deposit of the instrument
of ratification of the Convention on Cluster Munitions
at the United Nations in New York |
| June
16, 2009 |
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16th June 2009, Albania deposited the instrument
of ratification of the Convention on Cluster Munitions
at the United Nations in New York, becoming respectively
the 9th country to ratify it. During treaty negotiations
Albania emphasized its experience as an affected country
to demonstrate the humanitarian harm caused by cluster
munitions. The country was and remains a strong advocate
for the very strong provisions on victim assistance in
the treaty. Albania has also committed to clearing the
unexploded cluster munitions on its territory much earlier
than the 10 year deadline set by the convention. |
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| Triage
of Mine/UXO amputees in Kukes, Has and Tropoja |
| June
2-5, 2009 |
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In June 2009, under facilitation and coordination of AMAE,
medical specialists from the Institute for Rehabilitation
in Slovenia and representatives from the Prosthetic Center
in Kukes Regional Hospital organized a two-day triage
during which, all mine and UXO amputees from Kukes and
Has were screened. In total 38 mine/UXO survivors and
some other amputees where screened and checked during
the day. In addition to amputees, some children with cerebral-spinal
injuries were provided with medical screening and advice
by medical experts from abroad. The process of repairing
prostheses served as an opportunity for the Albanian Prostheses
Technician to discuss and upgrade some knowledge regarding
the repair of the prostheses. Also some other technical
issues where discussed between Prostheses Technicians
from abroad and the Albanian ones, regarding some measurements,
treatment and care for the stump, hygiene, etc. |
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Standing
Committees Meetings on the Anti-personnel Mine Ban Convention |
| May
25-29, 2009 |
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On 25-29 May 2009, the meetings of the Intersessional
Work Programme on AP Mine Ban Convention were held at
the Geneva International Center for Humanitarian Demining
(GICHD). This Work Programme, established by the State
Parties of the Convention, consists of five committees
who assemble annually to discuss operational issues related
to the Convention.
Albania is regularly represented in these meetings by
the experts of the Albania Mine Action Executive as well
as representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
and through our Permanent Mission in Geneva.
During the plenary sessions of Work Programme Meetings,
Albania reported about the progress made to fulfill the
obligation of Article 5 of the Convention, which requires
the destruction of mines in the contaminated areas in
northeast of Albania. Meanwhile, the AMAE's VA and MRE
coordinator participated in the mine/UXO victim assistance
activities.
During the plenary session held on Tuesday, May 26, the
VA & MRE Coordinator Mr. Veri Dogjani, presented,
in the framework of Albanian Mine Action Programme, a
progress report about the Victim Assistance in Albania
covering the period 2004-2008.
During the plenary session held on Wednesday, May 27,
the Ambassador Sejdi Qerimaj reported on the progress
that Albania has made regarding the clearance of mine
contaminated areas in the northeast of Albania with the
aim of fulfilling the obligation deriving from the Article
5 of the Convention. Additionally, the AMAE Director answered
questions made by other participants and elaborated on
the progress that Albania has made in this respect.
The Albanian Delegation received positive comments by
various international agencies such as UNDP, UNMAS, ICBL
and various international donors who considered the Albanian
Mine action Programme a model to be followed by other
mine action programmes. An important topic of the bilateral
meetings was the discussion of a transitional strategy
of the programme so that the already well-established
capacities can be utilized to meet other needs the Albania
has in similar areas.
As far as the victim assistance is concerned, one of the
objectives yet to be fulfilled is the transfer of the
National Prosthetic Orthotic Center to the University
Hospital Center "Mother Theresa" (QSUT). However, the
agreement with the Ministry of Health has been reached
to transfer this center to QSUT which in turn will improve
its capacities. This information was reported in the meeting
as well.
A special meeting with representatives from United Nations
Organizations' missions in Geneva was held on Friday,
May 29, about the preparation of delegations and drafting
of the reports for the second Review Conference which
will be held in Colombia on 25-29 November, 2009 where
the State Parties will be represented by high-level delegations.
Colombia, as a hosting country, has sent an official invitation
to our Prime Minister, through our mission in Geneva
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Donors
field trip in the Northeast of Albania |
| May
14-15, 2009 |
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On 14-15 May 2009 Albanian Mine Action Executive as well
as the Ministry of Defense organized a donor trip to northern
Albania, with the Military Attaches from the embassies
of Germany, Turkey, Russia, Romania, Italy and two representatives
from Ministry of Defense.
During the visit the participants visited the Rehabilitation
unit (Prostheses Workshop & Physiotherapy) of Kukes Hospital,
where Director of Kukes hospital and Victim Assistance
Coordinator explained in details of what is available
and where assistance have been provided, needs and what
the priorities for assistance are at the victim Assistance.
This center is financially supported by the American Department
of State, British and French Governments and European
Union. The focus of this visit at hospital has been rehabilitative
capabilities to Kukes hospital. The projects implemented
and donor support was explained to all participants, with
specific focus on ensuring the sustainability of rehabilitation
unit in terms of raw materials, staff and improving the
management capacities.
Presentations on the Albanian Mine Action Programme (AMAP)
including all pillars of mine action in Clearance, Mine
Risk Education and Victim Assistance were conducted at
the AMAE Regional Office in Kukes by the AMAE director,
Arben Braha, the Chief of the Kukes Regional Office, Sali
Salihi, the VA&MRE coordinator, Veri Dogjani and the Head
of VMA Kukes, Jonuz Kola.
Danish Church Aid (DCA) operating in clearance operation
in Albania since 2002, organized a field demonstration
in Carmeria/Kukes District.
The military attaches expressed their overall appreciation
for the organization of the field trip and commented on
their support provided in the past and confirmed their
support in the future in order to give their contribution
in eliminating the mine problem in Albania by 2010. Local
representatives, border police authorities from Kosova
and Albania were present during the presentations in the
field .
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| Commemorating
activities in Albania on the occasion of "The International
Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action"
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| April
4, 2009 |
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In
December 2005, the General Assembly declared April 4
the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance
in Mine Action. This Day is a reminder that millions
of people in nearly 80 countries still live in fear
of landmines and explosive remnants of war.
In commemoration of this day, the following activities
were planned in northeast Albania in close cooperation
with local and regional authorities, local communities,
mine action local organizations and landmine survivors
with the aim of raising public awareness about the problem
of landmines and explosive remnants of war and the efforts
to eliminate them.
A competition with artistic creations was organized
among children from 13 schools in mine affected areas
of northern Albania. This activity was organized in
cooperation with the local and regional authorities
of Kukes prefecture, local NGOs involved in MRE, Landmine
Survivors and the demining organization.
The interview was broadcasted on April 4th from BBC
radio Albanian section. The landmine Survivor, a border
police officer injured while patrolling the border in
1999 told his story and experience from the day of the
injury and the re-integration into society again.
A photography exhibition was opened on April 6, 2009
at the Palace of Culture in Kukes Town. The photos,
which were made by the local NGO VMA, demonstrated moments
captured from the mine action activities which included:
mine clearance, mine risk education and Victim Assistance.
Awareness and other visible materials were available
at the event.
A TV reportage was transmitted by the Local Kukes TV,
which covered activities in Mine Risk Education and
Victim Assistance taking place in the Northeast of Albania. |
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