Mr Thongsavanh Phomvihane meets Mrs Izumi Nakamitsu in Hanoi, Vietnam, on June 9 to discuss preparations for the Third Review Conference of the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which Laos will host in September.

UN backs Laos ahead of cluster munitions summit

The United Nations has pledged continued support for Laos as the country prepares to host a major global conference on cluster munitions in September.
The commitment was reaffirmed during a meeting between the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Thongsavanh Phomvihane, and the United Nations Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Mrs Izumi Nakamitsu. The meeting was held during Mr Thongsavanh’s working visit to Hanoi, Vietnam, to participate in the 3rd ASEAN Future Forum on June 9.
The UN’s pledge comes as Laos prepares to chair the Third Review Conference of the Convention on Cluster Munitions in Vientiane, where governments and international partners will review progress under the treaty and agree on future action to address the humanitarian impact of cluster munitions.
During the meeting with Ms Nakamitsu, Mr Thongsavanh thanked the UN for its continued cooperation and support in preparations for the conference. He briefed Ms Nakamitsu on the progress made and stressed that Laos attaches the highest importance to ensuring the event is a success.
He noted that Laos remains among the countries most severely affected by cluster munitions, and said the conference will advance the humanitarian goals of the convention.
Mr Thongsavanh formally invited United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to attend the conference and called for continued support in encouraging high-level participation from states parties, observer states, international organisations and other partners.
He also sought assistance in finalising key conference documents, strengthening public health preparedness, coordinating emergency response measures, and providing technical guidance.
Mrs Nakamitsu welcomed the progress made by Laos and reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to support preparations for the conference and its side events.
The Third Review Conference of the Convention on Cluster Munitions will be held in Vientiane during September 13-18.
A key outcome of the conference will guide global efforts to clear unexploded ordnance, support victims, and reduce risks faced by communities affected by cluster munitions.
Laos became a State Party to the convention in 2008, and the treaty entered into force on August 1, 2010.
The country continues to bear the legacy of war. During the Second Indochina War from 1964 to 1973, more than two million tonnes of ordnance were dropped on Laos, with about 30 percent failing to explode.
More than 270 million cluster munitions were released during the conflict, leaving an estimated 80 million unexploded bomblets scattered across Laos.
To address the issue, the government established the National UXO Programme in 1996 and has worked with international partners to clear contaminated land, educate communities and support victims.
By hosting the conference, Laos aims to strengthen international cooperation and draw greater attention to the continuing humanitarian and development challenges caused by unexploded ordnance.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update June 15, 2026)