Vientiane: The Third Review Conference of the Convention on Cluster Munitions officially commenced at the National Convention Centre, hosted by the Government of the Lao PDR. The event is themed "Accelerating Progress Towards a World Free from the Threat of Cluster Munitions".

According to Lao News Agency, the opening ceremony featured an address by Mr. Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister of the Lao PDR. The conference welcomed delegations from states parties, international organisations, observer states, and over 800 participants from both domestic and international communities.

This conference is dubbed the "CCM Homecoming" as the Lao PDR previously hosted the First Meeting of States Parties in 2010. The decision to host the event in Laos again highlights the global community's confidence in the country's leadership within the international treaty process.

Prime Minister Siphandone expressed pride in hosting the event, which offers an opportunity to review treaty obligations and establish future action plans. He emphasized the current international challenges, such as wars and conflicts, that test the treaty's goals and values. He urged the global community to prevent other nations from experiencing the long-term impacts faced by Laos due to cluster munitions.

The Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) was adopted in Dublin, Ireland, in 2008 and came into force in 2010. Currently, it has 124 states parties and signatories. The five-day conference, running from 14 to 18 September 2026, aims to assess progress and set new priorities for the convention, while also featuring side events and exhibitions.