The Ottawa Treaty set an international norm against anti-personnel landmines, drawing 162 state parties by 2025 despite absence of major military powers.
Key Facts
- States ratified/acceded (Aug 2025)
- 162 states
- Treaty signed
- 3 December 1997
- Notable non-parties
- United States, China, Russia, India, Pakistan
- 2025 withdrawals initiated
- Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland
- Withdrawal completed (Baltic/Poland)
- December 2025 – February 2026
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Widespread civilian casualties from anti-personnel landmines during and after armed conflicts in the late 20th century prompted an international humanitarian campaign to ban their use, production, stockpiling, and transfer, culminating in negotiations led by Canada.
On 3 December 1997, the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction — known as the Ottawa Treaty — was opened for signature, establishing a legally binding international framework to eliminate anti-personnel landmines.
By August 2025, 162 states had joined the treaty, though major landmine-producing powers including the United States, China, and Russia remained outside it. In 2025, several European states began withdrawal procedures citing security concerns related to Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine, highlighting tensions between humanitarian norms and national defence priorities.
Political Outcome
Treaty opened for signature; 162 states ratified or acceded by August 2025, though key military powers remain non-parties and several states initiated withdrawal in 2025.
No binding international prohibition on anti-personnel landmines existed
International norm established against APLs; majority of states legally bound to ban use, production, stockpiling, and transfer