Laos gears up to host 3rd cluster munitions review conference, reaffirms UXO clearance commitment

VIENTIANE, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Laos is intensifying preparations to host the third Review Conference of the Convention on Cluster Munitions, underscoring its commitment to tackling unexploded ordnance (UXO) as a national priority while advancing international efforts toward the elimination of cluster munitions.

The Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday held a launching ceremony to officially announce Laos' chairmanship of the conference, aiming to raise awareness and understanding across all sectors of society about the convention and the country's role in addressing cluster munitions at the international level.

The conference will take place here from Sept. 14 to 18 and is expected to welcome delegates from more than 150 countries and regions to advance global efforts toward a world free of cluster munitions.

Between 1964 and 1973, more than 580,000 bombing missions were carried out over Laos -- an average of one flight every eight minutes. During that period, over 2 million tons of ordnance, including approximately 270 million cluster submunitions, were dropped, making Laos the most heavily bombed country in the world on a per capita basis. ■