Treaty obligations

The Convention on Cluster Munitions includes an obligation never to use, produce, transfer or stockpile cluster munitions. It also includes several positive obligations to ensure no further use and to redress past harm caused by the weapons.

A requirement to report

The Convention on Cluster Munitions requires states to report regularly on what they have done to implement the convention. The first report is due within six months of joining, and is designed to make clear what convention obligations apply by providing information on whether states have stockpiles, cluster munition affected areas, and/or cluster munition victims. Further reports should describe states’ activities to implement relevant obligations, including what has been accomplished, what is left to do, and what the plans are for the future.

Such information enables states to showcase their accomplishments and plans, and to make a case for international cooperation and assistance if needed. Reporting also strengthens the convention by showing its impact and building confidence among other states that obligations are being fully respected.

Reporting forms agreed by states ensure all information required by the convention is provided, as are guidelines on how to use them.

Reports should be sent to the United Nations in Geneva by email: ccm@un.org

Summary of the key convention obligations (Article 7)

States Parties are obligated to report to the United Nations no later than 180 days after entry into force and on an annual basis by 30 April each year thereafter. States Parties are required to report on the status of their treaty implementation, including: national implementation measures; the type, quantity and technical characteristics of cluster munitions and submunitions stockpiled; the status and progress of stockpile destruction programmes; the conversion or de-commissioning of production facilities; the size and location of areas contaminated by cluster munitions; the status and progress of cluster munitions clearance programmes; measures taken to provide risk education; the status and progress of implementation of the treaty’s victim assistance provisions; the amount of national resources allocated for clearance, stockpile destruction and victim assistance; and the type, quantity and destination of international cooperation and assistance provided.