Prince Harry calls for nations to ‘redouble’ efforts in landmine campaign

OHMYGOSSIP — Prince Harry has called on world leaders to “redouble” their efforts to enable the world to be landmine free by 2025.
The 33-year-old royal is following in his late mother Princess Diana’s footsteps in campaigning for the eradication of the explosive devices, but he insists governments, foundations and individuals must “stiffen [their] resolve” to achieve such a goal.
Speaking in a recorded video message posted on The HALO Trust’s YouTube page for the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Mine Ban Treaty, he said: “Millions of people are still affected by mines, and there is much more which still needs to be done.
“The Mine Ban Treaty includes a commitment from the international community to clear the world of landmines by 2025.
“With just eight years to go, we must stiffen our resolve and redouble our efforts if we are to stand any chance of achieving this goal.
“I am delighted that the British government has taken the lead by increasing its funding to clear these terrible legacies of war.
“But without similar commitments across the world, the 2025 goal will not be achieved.
“Let us not meet again in another 10 years and hear that a new generation of children face being killed or maimed through innocent play.”
Harry also admitted it was a “tremendous achievement” that 29 states are now considered “mine-free” and a testament to the Mine Ban Treaty’s “ambition and vision”.
He added: “Together, the states, donors and non-government groups gathered here in Vienna, have made huge progress towards achieving a world free of mines.
“To date, 29 states have been declared mine-free – a tremendous achievement, and a testament to the Treaty’s ambition and vision.”
The Mine Ban Treaty, also known as the Ottawa Treaty, was signed in December 1997, just a few months after Diana’s death.
She had championed the final stages of the Treaty and in January of that year famously walked through a cleared minefield in Angola.

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