Transcribed Statement of the Ambassador of Kenya:
H.E. Ms. Amina Mohamed

Mr. President,

I am addressing the conference for the first time. Accordingly before I move to the subject of my intervention, I would like to say how grateful my delegation is to you for your efforts in steering the CD in such for a consensus work programmed and I'd like to assure you of our support and best wishes. Mr. President, I've taken the floor to inform the distinguished colleagues and delegations that on the 23 rd of January 2001, Kenya deposited with the UN Secretary-General in New York, its instrument of ratification for the Convention on the Use and Stockpiling, Production, and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Landmines and on their destruction. Kenya has therefore become a state participant to the convention. We have taken this step out of concern over weaponry, which continues to have a devastating effect on many countries especially in the developing world. It's particularly worrisome that as much as these weapons are deployed in conflicts by combatants, their main victims continue to be innocent civilians, including children. Kenya considers the convention to be an appropriate instrument for tackling in a comprehensive manner, the widespread use of antipersonnel mines. At the UN Kenya has conditionally co-sponsored the resolution on the implementation of the convention. It's our hope that the convention will attain universal adherence as asked by the resolution, and that the human suffering resulting from the use of mines, will thus be brought to an end. Thank you Mr. President.