New Report Showcases U.S. Global Leadership in Landmine Clearance and Conventional Weapons Destruction
The Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs has released the 13th Edition of To Walk the Earth in Safety, a report summarizing the accomplishments of the U.S. Conventional Weapons Destruction Program. For more than 20 years, the United States has led the international donor community in promoting peace and security worldwide by partnering with nations to address humanitarian hazards from landmines and unexploded ordnance in post-conflict countries, as well as to reduce the availability of excess, loosely-secured, or otherwise at-risk weapons and ordnance.
In fiscal year 2013, the Department of State provided more than $142 million in conventional weapons destruction assistance in 49 countries. Among the report’s highlights are increased engagement in addressing U.S.-origin unexploded ordnance in Southeast Asia and the South Pacific; efforts to strengthen African countries’ capabilities to counter illicit arms proliferation. This year, the United States will not produce or acquire anti-personnel munitions that are not compliant with the Ottawa Convention, and would diligently pursue solutions that would ultimately allow us to accede to the Convention.
For more information, or to request a printed copy of To Walk the Earth in Safety, please contact the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs Office of Congressional and Public Affairs, at pm-cpa@state.gov, and follow us on Twitter @StateDeptPM.
