A/HRC/5/9 page 17 38. In parallel to the CCW efforts, on 22 and 23 February 2007, the Government of Norway convened an international conference in Oslo to initiate a process leading to an international ban on cluster munitions that have unacceptable humanitarian consequences. The meeting adopted a political declaration in which 46 signatory countries committed themselves to conclude by 2008 an international instrument banning cluster munitions that cause unacceptable harm to civilians. The Secretary-General welcomed this declaration and all progress made to reduce and ultimately eliminate the horrendous humanitarian effects of cluster munitions. He also underlined that the Oslo process and the efforts under way in the meeting of States Parties to the CCW have the same humanitarian objective and are complementary and mutually reinforcing. 39. In this respect, the Office for Disarmament Affairs (ODA) indicated that CCW Protocol V on Explosive Remnants of War, which entered into force on 12 November 2006, provides for a series of post-conflict remedial measures aimed at minimizing the risks and effects of explosive remnants of war (ERW). The Protocol addresses in particular the responsibility of the States parties to a conflict with respect to ERW and their clearance; removal or destruction, recording, retaining and transmission of information to facilitate rapid marking and clearance of ERW; other precautions for the protection of civilians; as well as assistance and cooperation with respect to unexploded ordnance. It also provides for generic preventive measures for improving the reliability of munitions, thus minimizing the occurrence of ERW. The first Conference of the States parties to the CCW Protocol V will mark the commencement of its implementation at international level and will be held in Geneva on 5 November 2007. 40. According to ODA, the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction, also known as the Ottawa Convention, deals with one particular category of weapons - anti-personnel landmines. Cluster munitions do not fall under the scope of the Ottawa Convention. B. Research on weapons 41. UNEP investigated a number of sites with underground facilities that had the highest probability of having been attacked with deep-penetrating ammunition. It reported on these investigations in its January 2007 report “Lebanon: Post-conflict environmental assessment”. The analysis results show no evidence of the use of depleted uranium-containing penetrators or metal products. In addition, no depleted uranium shrapnel or other radioactive residue was found at the sites investigated. The analysis of all smear samples taken did not detect depleted, enriched, or higher-than-natural uranium content. After an extensive investigation, including of sites rumoured to have been hit by depleted uranium weapons, UNEP stated that the “bunker-buster” ammunition used by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) in the conflict did not contain depleted uranium, natural uranium or any other uranium isotope. 42. UNEP also investigated the use of white phosphorus during site visits south of the Litani River. Indications were found that white phosphorus-containing artillery shells were used as smoke screens or to mark targets. Some shells with white phosphorus signatures were seen in very limited numbers on the open ground close to villages or towns in the region of Bint Jbeil and Marjayoun. UNEP, together with Lebanese Army experts, recovered one unexploded mortar containing white phosphorus, and destroyed the shell. IDF subsequently officially confirmed the use of white phosphorus.