Forty six countries gathered in Oslo, Norway from the 22nd through the 23rd of February this year to adopt the declaration posted below.  Their goal is to conclude a legally binding treaty by 2008 that prohibits the use, production, transfer, and stockpiling of cluster munitions that cause unacceptable harm to civilians. 

                                                Declaration

A group of States, United Nations Organizations, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Cluster Munitions Coalition and other humanitarian organizations met in Oslo on 22 - 23 February 2007 to discuss how to effectively address the humanitarian problems caused by cluster munitions.

Recognizing the grave consequences caused by the use of cluster munitions and the need for immediate action, states commit themselves to:

1.  Conclude by 2008 a legally binding international instrument that will:

(i) prohibit the use, production, transfer and stockpiling of cluster munitions that cause unacceptable harm to civilians, and

(ii) establish a framework for cooperation and assistance that ensures adequate provision of care and rehabilitation to survivors and their communities, clearance of contaminated areas, risk education and destruction of stockpiles of prohibited cluster munitions.

2.  Consider taking steps at the national level to address these problems.

3.  Continue to address the humanitarian challenges posed by cluster munitions within the framework of international humanitarian law and in all relevant fora.

4.  Meet again to continue their work, including in Lima in May/June and Vienna in November/December 2007 and in Dublin in early 2008, and welcome the announcement of Belgium to organize a regional meeting.

Oslo, 23 February 2007

The following states agreed to the declaration:  Afghanistan, Angola, Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Guatemala, Holy See, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Latvia, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Mozambique, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

The United States did not agree to the declaration.