Prince Harry Will Attend the Landmine Free World 2025 Reception
on International Mine Awareness Day
The Orangery, Kensington Palace
Tuesday 4th April
The world’s two leading landmine charities, Mines Advisory Group (MAG) and The HALO Trust, will hold a reception on International Mine Awareness Day in order to galvanise support for their goal of a world free of landmines by 2025. Prince Harry will attend the reception and make a keynote speech at the event. The International Development Secretary, Priti Patel, will also speak at the reception.
This year marks the twentieth anniversary since the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Treaty in Ottawa was signed. Many of those involved in the landmark campaign of 1997 will attend this reception, along with other senior representatives of governments who support international mine action.
Prince Harry’s mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, was closely involved in the work that led to the signing of the landmark treaty; visiting Angola and Bosnia to raise awareness of the issue, and working behind-the-scenes to make the treaty a reality. In the year marking the twentieth anniversary of The Princess’ death, Prince Harry is pleased to have this moment to recognise the significant contribution his mother made in this field, the progress which has been made by MAG, HALO, the UK Government and other organisations, and the opportunity to continue raising awareness of making the world landmine-free by 2025.
Prince Harry has previously visited minefields in both Angola and Mozambique, meeting amputees, and witnessing the devastating impact landmines have on some of the poorest people in mine-affected communities.
In the last two decades nearly 30 countries have been declared mine-free; however the issue is still not confined to the past. More than 60 million people still live with the daily fear of unexploded munitions, and this joint call by MAG and The HALO Trust signals that action is still required to deliver on the promises made twenty years ago to eradicate landmines.
The Chief Executive of MAG, Jane Cocking, and The HALO Trust Chief Executive, James Cowan, will speak before introducing Prince Harry and Secretary of State for International Development, Priti Patel, who will both address guests at the reception.
For more information on MAG and The HALO Trust please visit: www.maginternational.org and www.halotrust.org.
