(Geneva, 1 July 2011) – Grenada became the first country to accede to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, a highlight of an unprecedented four-day diplomatic meeting on the treaty.

“The first accession to the Convention is an important milestone, and is all the more significant given that Grenada is one of the countries where cluster bombs have been used,” said Laura Cheeseman, Director of the Cluster Munition Coalition (CMC).

Grenada deposited its instrument of ratification with the United Nations on Wednesday 29 June. Since the treaty became binding international law on 1 August 2010 countries can no longer sign and then later ratify, but must undertake the one-step process of accession.

Two more countries – Thailand and Cambodia – also indicated during the meeting they are taking steps to accede to the Convention in the near future.

Read more: Cluster Munition Coalition