November 29, 2004 OTTAWA –– At the request of Prime Minister Paul Martin, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada, will represent Canada during the high-level segment of the Nairobi Summit on a Mine-Free World, on December 2 and 3, 2004, in Nairobi, Kenya. The Summit, to take place from November 29 to December 3, will also be attended by Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew, and a delegation of Canadian parliamentarians. The Nairobi Summit on a Mine-Free World is the first Review Conference of the 1997 Ottawa Convention prohibiting the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personnel mines, and requiring their destruction. The Convention also aims to put an end to the suffering and casualties caused by anti-personnel mines by providing assistance for the care and the rehabilitation of mine victims and for the clearing of mined areas. "Canadians should be proud of our country's leadership in working to rid the world of this global scourge," said the Governor General. "Thousands of people worldwide continue to be the victims of this indiscriminate weapon, and thousands of lives are still at stake. Let us take this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to a mine-free world and encourage all nations to actively work towards this laudable goal for humanity." The Convention was signed by 122 states in December 3, 1997 in Ottawa and entered into force on March 1, 1999. The Nairobi Summit will provide each State party with an opportunity to assess the progress made to date, to identify the challenges that lie ahead and to agree on an ambitious action plan for the next five years. While in Nairobi, Governor General Clarkson will deliver the Canadian Statement to the Summit's high-level segment, reaffirming Canada's commitment to a mine-free world. She will participate in a roundtable discussion with members of Youth LEAP (Youth Leadership, Education and Action Program), an initiative designed by Mines Action Canada to encourage youth activism on landmine issues. The Governor General will also meet with Mr. Bob Munro, the Canadian founder of the Mathare Youth Sports Association, and tour the area. Since 1987, the Mathare Youth Sports Association has pioneered several innovative programs in sports, environmental improvement and community development. Finally, the Governor General will also meet with His Excellency the Honourable Mwai Kibaki, President of the Republic of Kenya, and host a reception for the fifth anniversary of the entry into force of the Ottawa Convention. The detailed schedule of the Governor General's activities while in Nairobi is attached (Annex). For more information on the summit, please visit www.nairobisummit.org. NOTE: All events are open to media unless otherwise stated. -30- Media information Lucie Brosseau Rideau Hall Press Office (613) 998-0287 www.gg.ca Luke Sookocheff Canadian High Commission, Nairobi, Kenya Tel.: 1+254 20 366 3256 Cell.: 0733650007 Media Relations Office Foreign Affairs Canada and International Trade Canada (613) 995-1874 www.international.gc.ca Stephanie Power Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention Implementation Support Unit Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining 1+254 (0)735 456 102 s.power@gichd.ch Annex Schedule of activities: 2004 Nairobi Summit on a Mine-Free World – December 2-3, 2004 Thursday, December 2 (Gigiri) 5:30 a.m. Arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta Airport The Governor General will be greeted by Mr. Jim Wall, the Canadian High Commissioner to Nairobi. (PHOTO-OP) 10:00 a.m. Delivery of Canadian Statement to the opening of the high-level segment of the Nairobi Summit on a Mine-Free World (Conference Room 2, Main Floor, United Nations Office (UNON) ) The Governor General will deliver an address to the high-level segment on Canada's commitments to end the suffering caused by anti-personnel mines. 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Bilateral meetings (Conference room 5, main floor, UNON) Meeting with International Campaign to ban Landmines Meeting with Mrs. Shirin Ebadi, 2003 Nobel Prize laureate Meeting with Dr. Kellenberger, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (PHOTO-OP) 2:00 p.m. Meeting with participants of Youth LEAP (Fountain area, outside lower level, UNON) The Governor General will host a roundtable discussion with members of the Youth Leadership, Education and Action Program (Youth LEAP). This event is organized by Mines Action Canada. Thursday, December 2 (Nairobi) 3:30 p.m. Visit to the Nairobi Hospital, Hurlingham Recovery Centre (PHOTO-OPS during the tour, possibility of interviews with Centre staff) Friday, December 3 (Nairobi) 10:00 a.m. Meeting with His Excellency the Honourable Mwai Kibaki, President of the Republic of Kenya (State House) (PHOTO-OP) Friday, December 3 (Gigiri) 1:00 p.m. Group photo of high-level delegates, Nairobi Summit on a Mine-Free World, high-level session, (Outside near room 2, UNON) 2:00 p.m. Reception to commemorate the signing of the Ottawa Convention (Fountain area, lower level, UNON) The Governor General will host a reception to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the signing of the Ottawa convention. Friday, December 3 (Nairobi) 4:00 p.m. Visit to the Mathare Youth Sports Association Governor General Clarkson will meet with Mr. Bob Munro, the Canadian founder of the Mathare Youth Sports Association, and tour the area. The Mathare Youth Sports Association's motto is "Giving youth a sporting chance". Its programs are run entirely by the youth of Mathare, one of the poorest and most densely populated urban areas in Africa.
