Mine Ban Treaty

international treaty, 1997

Also known as: Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction(Show More)

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July 15, 2026

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The Mine Ban Treaty, also known as the Ottawa Convention, is an international agreement that prohibits the use, production, stockpiling, and transfer of antipersonnel land mines. It entered into force in March 1999, with a requirement for member states to destroy existing mines within ten years.12

The treaty also emphasizes humanitarian obligations, including assistance for the care, rehabilitation, and reintegration of mine victims. The International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), a coalition of organizations, was instrumental in advocating for this treaty and was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1997. Despite significant progress in reducing land mine casualties and destruction of stockpiles, some countries have not signed the treaty, and support for victim assistance remains a critical concern.12

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arms control
Recent efforts
…to Ban Landmines (ICBL), a treaty prohibiting the use of antipersonnel mines was negotiated; it went into effect in 1999, and, by the early 21st century, nearly 150 countries had signed it, though China, Russia, and the United States had not.
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…to Ban Landmines (ICBL), a treaty prohibiting the use of antipersonnel mines was negotiated; it went into effect in 1999, and, by the early 21st century, nearly 150 countries had signed it, though China, Russia, and the United States had not.
Read More

International Campaign to Ban Landmines
…to the negotiation of the Mine Ban Treaty (the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction), which was signed by 122 countries in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, in December 1997.
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…to the negotiation of the Mine Ban Treaty (the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction), which was signed by 122 countries in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, in December 1997.
Read More

Toward a Land Mine-Free World
…the 20th anniversary of the Mine Ban Treaty of 1997, we recognized the fact that the accomplishments fueled by this “people’s movement”—the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL)—were still a “success in progress.”
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…the 20th anniversary of the Mine Ban Treaty of 1997, we recognized the fact that the accomplishments fueled by this “people’s movement”—the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL)—were still a “success in progress.”
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Jody Williams
…in December 1997, when the Mine Ban Treaty was signed by more than 100 countries in Ottawa. During the following decade, about 130 countries ratified the treaty—with the exception of the major mine-producing ones, such as the United States, Russia, and China.
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…in December 1997, when the Mine Ban Treaty was signed by more than 100 countries in Ottawa. During the following decade, about 130 countries ratified the treaty—with the exception of the major mine-producing ones, such as the United States, Russia, and China.
Read More