The call comes from Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in a message to the second conference of parties to the convention on explosive remnants of war.
The secretary-general says explosive remnants of war are generated by every armed conflict, and pose a major threat to civilians.
He says they kill and maim long after the end of hostilities.
And he warns they are deadly hazards that must be eliminated.
Secretary-General Ban says Protocol V on the explosive remnants of war is "an invaluable tool" that "provides a flexible and stable framework for addressing the horrendous humanitarian and developmental impacts" of the explosive remnants.
He urged states to "make full use of it."
This is Donn Bobb reporting for United Nations Radio.
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