I. Context and basic assumptions
As long as there is armed conflict, there will be explosive remnants of war which may affect civilians, and expertise will be required to develop solutions to this problem. Indeed, to this day over 80 countries continue to be affected by landmines and other explosive remnants of war.
The Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (AP Mine Ban Convention) provides the framework for the response to anti-personnel mines for over 80 percent of the world’s States. Since the Convention entered into force, impressive progress has been made – new use of landmines has virtually stopped, land has been cleared, the number of new victims has been reduced and stockpiles have been destroyed. The Convention’s Second Review Conference will take place in 2009, again focusing the international community’s attention on progress made and challenges that remain in ending the suffering caused by anti-personnel mines. Many States Parties will continue to require assistance beyond 2009.
In addition to anti-personnel mines, many countries have for decades faced problems caused by all kinds of explosive remnants of war. Dealing with them, particularly the widespread incidence of unexploded ordnance, also requires a long term perspective in addition to an immediate humanitarian response. An international legal framework related to explosive remnants of war continues to emerge, with the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons Protocol V on ERW having entered into force in 2006. Also, the international community has turned its attention to addressing the humanitarian impact specifically caused by cluster munitions. The adoption of the Convention on Cluster Munitions is a significant step, and it is likely that this issue will continue to develop during the coming years.
The need for mine action support will remain high during the period covered by this strategy, although some States will become increasingly self-reliant. However, States will need to diversify their responses and continue to move from a humanitarian to a longer term development perspective.
In this context and perspective, the GICHD plays an important role and it is assumed that the demand for its services shall remain high over the coming years.
II. Vision
| The GICHD strives for a world free of anti-personnel mines and from the threat of other landmines and explosive remnants of war, and where the suffering and concerns of populations living in affected areas are addressed. |
III. Mission
| The GICHD works to eliminate anti-personnel mines and to reduce the humanitarian impact of other landmines and explosive remnants of war. To this end, the GICHD shall, in partnership with others, strive to provide capacity development support, undertake applied research, and develop standards, all aimed at increasing the performance and professionalism of mine action. To the same end, the GICHD shall support the implementation of relevant instruments of international law. |
IV. Principles
The following are the core principles upon which the GICHD’s work is based. The GICHD:
- Is committed to principles of: humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence.
- Is responsive in all situations, such as: emergency, peace-keeping, disarmament, reconstruction and development.
- Respects the responsibility of affected States for addressing the problems of mines and explosive remnants of war under their control or jurisdiction, and places emphasis on local ownership.
- Works in partnership with relevant international and regional organisations, national and international operators, research centres and commercial companies.
- Is committed to making mine action faster, cheaper, safer, more effective and sustainable.
- Is committed to provide services because they are needed, and which do not duplicate other work.
- Is gender sensitive in the planning, implementation and evaluation of its programmes.
V. Focus
The GICHD is involved in a wide range of activities. Within the period of this strategy, it shall in particular:
- Address problems caused by all types of explosive remnants of war, while maintaining a special focus on landmines.
- Support national authorities in the development of relevant capacities.
- Assist States Parties to the AP Mine Ban Convention to comply with their obligations, and support other relevant instruments of international law upon request.
VI. Strategic goals
The true measure of the success of the GICHD is the degree to which it helps its partners to advance the well-being of the ultimate beneficiaries – the people in countries affected by mines and explosive remnants of war. Therefore the strategic goals are shared ones, but reflect the priorities and competence of the GICHD.
The GICHD works along thematic lines; however, where appropriate, coherent multi-year country plans will be developed, in coordination and cooperation with the UN and other relevant actors.
STRATEGIC GOAL 1 - OPERATIONAL ASSISTANCE
The Centre will enable national and local authorities to effectively and efficiently plan, coordinate and implement safe mine action programmes, as well as to implement their obligations under international humanitarian law.
Main activities – the GICHD shall
Strategic programme planning and management Support national authorities to develop and implement their mine action strategies and plans, including priority setting mechanisms, quality management, coordination activities, legislation, mine risk education, gender sensitive programming and linking mine action and development. Special attention is paid to assist national authorities to comply with their obligations and commitments stemming from the AP Mine Ban Convention and other relevant instruments of international law.
Land release Develop and implement safe and cost-effective land release methods for mine action, to be used by countries and programmes in the field. In particular, the centre shall:
- Develop sound and technically valid land release concepts that are tailored towards individual countries and that address a requirement for national policy, as well as operational concepts.
- Assist countries and organizations in the implementation of new and more efficient land release concepts.
Information management Provide the mine action community with information management tools along with the required training, support and integration services. In particular, the centre shall:
- Continue to develop and implement the Information Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA), with priority given to requirements identified by users in the field.
- In conjunction with national mine action authorities, work for a broader distribution of IMSMA to relevant actors like national and international organizations as well as operators.
Technical methods Provide the mine action operators with technical advice and assistance, particularly with regards to:
- Technical survey methodologies
- The management and use of clearance assets such as manual demining, machines and dogs.
STRATEGIC GOAL 2 – KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND DISSEMINATION
The Centre will make available to the mine action sector the most up-to-date technical and conceptual solutions, best practices and lessons-learned generated by field research, socio-economic studies and evaluations.
Main activities – the GICHD shall
Applied research Conduct applied research in cooperation with research organisations and field actors. Generate valid and credible findings through studies on how different mine action programmes have addressed common problems and, if appropriate, propose improved methods. Provide mine action decision-makers with a comprehensive range of practical options for technical solutions, best practices, and lessons learned.
Information exchange Identify current and emerging topics of importance and improve effective exchange of information in mine action. Create opportunities for mine action field managers, researchers and other stakeholders to actively participate in both regular and ad hoc fora, including the annual meetings of the mine action programme directors and advisors, and virtual networks. Continue to produce high quality publications, and, where appropriate, translate them into the local language of mine-affected countries.
Evaluations Undertake evaluations to document the relevance, impact, effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability of mine action programmes. Provide appropriate recommendations for performance improvements, and generate lessons-learned for future guidance. Maintain an evaluation and best practice data-base.
STRATEGIC GOAL 3 – STANDARDS
In order to improve safety, quality and confidence in mine action, the Centre will support the development of relevant international and national standards.
Main activities – the GICHD shall
IMAS Ensure that International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) are developed, reviewed, amended and disseminated on behalf of the United Nations.
National standards Assist national authorities in the process of developing, reviewing, maintaining and applying their own national mine action standards.
Technical notes Prepare and publish technical information that could offer advice on a technical subject or solution to a specific problem, usually in the form of Technical Notes for Mine Action (TNMA).
STRATEGIC GOAL 4 – INSTRUMENTS OF INTERNATIONAL LAW
The Centre will support the development and implementation of instruments of international law that address landmines and explosive remnants of war.
Main activities – the GICHD shall
Implementation Support Unit APMBC Execute the mandate given to the GICHD by the States Parties to the AP Mine Ban Convention to host the Convention's Implementation Support Unit (ISU), to the satisfaction of those States Parties.
Other instruments of international law Support, upon request, the development and implementation of other instruments of international law related to landmines and other explosive remnants of war.
VII. Management
The GICHD seeks to continually improve its own management capability. The following goals and activities have been identified:
Financial resources
Funding The GICHD will be responsive to funding patterns and trends; it will seek to broaden its donor-base, and encourage multi-year financing.
Cost recovery Services to mine-affected countries will, in general, be provided free-of-charge. On a case-by-case basis, cost-recovery and cost-sharing may be sought with regard to services provided to other partners such as donor governments, international organisations, implementing partners, etc.
Human resources and institutional development
Staff qualifications The Centre will strive to attract the best qualified personnel. The specific knowledge of individuals from mine-affected countries will be included in the work of the Centre by engaging them as staff members, interns or consultants. The Centre will promote equal opportunities and will guarantee equality, irrespective of gender, race, disability, religion, etc. Enhancing language skills in French, the second official working language of the Centre, will be encouraged.
Flexibility Delivery of services will be achieved through a flexible approach to sourcing the expertise required, either through staff or external consultants.
Management training Training and coaching will be provided to improve staff skills, including the application of project cycle management and other managerial tools.
Planning, monitoring and evaluation
Performance Action plans, concrete activities and measurable performance targets will be developed on an annual basis, within the framework of this strategy. Annual progress reports will be produced for each year.
Programme strategies and country plans The Centre will develop programme strategies for the main GICHD thematic work. Internal country plans will be developed for certain mine-affected countries which need and request substantial GICHD support.
Evaluation and strategy review Regular programme evaluations of major thematic work areas will be conducted. A review of this strategy and development of the following strategy will take place in 2010/11.
Communication
Systematic approach Communication should serve to make the Centre and its activities more easily accessible and understood by key audiences, and to support effective delivery of the Centre’s programmes. Communication will incorporate all relevant tools including the GICHD website, publications, translations, event management and public relations.
Geneva, 21 November 2008
Previous Strategy Paper (2006-2008) PDF 160KB
Previous Strategy Paper (2003-2005) PDF 144KB
Previous Strategy Paper (2000-2002) PDF 90KB
