Ottawa Convention

international treaty

Also known as: Ottawa Treaty

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 16, 2026

Quick Summary

The Ottawa Convention, officially known as the Mine Ban Treaty, is an international agreement that prohibits the use, stockpiling, production, and transfer of antipersonnel land mines. It also requires states parties to destroy existing stockpiles within 10 years of joining the treaty. The convention was signed in Ottawa, Canada, in December 1997, and entered into force in March 1999.

The treaty was a result of the efforts of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), a coalition of organizations that advocated for a total ban on these weapons due to their indiscriminate nature and devastating impact on civilians. The convention also includes provisions for victim assistance, rehabilitation, and socioeconomic reintegration. Despite its success, some countries have not signed the treaty, and challenges remain in mine clearance and victim support.

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

5 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Jan Egeland
…represented Norway in negotiating the Ottawa Treaty (1997) to ban land mines. From 1999 to 2001 he was a special adviser on Colombia to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who on June 6, 2003, appointed him undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator.
Read More
…represented Norway in negotiating the Ottawa Treaty (1997) to ban land mines. From 1999 to 2001 he was a special adviser on Colombia to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who on June 6, 2003, appointed him undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator.
Read More

The Hidden Dangers of Land Mines
The Ottawa Convention, which became international law in March 1999, prohibits the development, production, stockpiling, and transfer of antipersonnel mines. Member states must also destroy existing mines within 10 years of the state’s entry into the convention.
Read More
The Ottawa Convention, which became international law in March 1999, prohibits the development, production, stockpiling, and transfer of antipersonnel mines. Member states must also destroy existing mines within 10 years of the state’s entry into the convention.
Read More