The Senate and the House of Delegates adopted Joint Resolution No. 8-36, ratifying the international agreement.
The joint resolutions were forwarded to United Nations Secretary General Ban Kin-moon to formally transmit communication that the country ratified the treaty.
On November 19, 2007, Palau acceded to the Ottawa Treaty. According to the terms of the Treaty, each state that is a party to the treaty undertakes to never use or develop, produce, acquire, stockpile, retain or transfer anti-personnel mines. It should undertake to identify and destroy all anti-personnel mines under its jurisdiction or control. Each State also has the right to seek and receive assistance from other states, and in return required to provide assistance if is in a position to do so.
Palau is already benefiting from the treaty, a non-profit organization, Cleared Ground Demining, has acquired funding last year to clear and detonate some of the unexploded anti-personnel mines in Peleliu and Angaur States.
The group estimates that the country can be completely cleared within three to five years.
Unlike anti-tank mines, which are designed for use against vehicles, anti-personnel mines are designed to cause casualties to humans.
