17 African States met on 4-5 August 2016 in Addis Ababa to discuss challenges and solutions to joining the Convention on Cluster Munitions and step up efforts to reach a cluster munitions free Africa.

The workshop brought together representatives from 3 non-signatory States (Ethiopia, Gabon and Zimbabwe), 8 Signatory States (Angola, Djibouti, the Gambia, Madagascar, Namibia, Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda) and 6 States parties to the Convention (Botswana, Cameroon, Ghana, Mauritania, Swaziland and Zambia).

Participants of the workshop adopted the Addis Ababa Commitment on universalization and implementation of the CCM, thereby reiterating their commitment to free Africa from cluster munitions and to strengthen the global norm against these weapons.

The meeting was organized by the Coordinator on National Implementation Measures (New Zealand) and the Coordinators on Universalization (Zambia and Ecuador) of the Convention on Cluster Munitions and funded by the governments of New Zealand and Switzerland. The African Union, ICRC, NPA and the Cluster Munition Coalition provided technical assistance to States during the event.

Annotated Agenda
Background document
Opening Remarks by New Zealand
Opening Remarks by the African Union
Opening Remarks by the Cluster Munition Coalition