Col. McDonough began by bringing the goals of the conference into focus: to explore, in detail the impact of the region's collective efforts to rid the hemisphere of anti-personnel landmines. He reminded the participants that they are at the conference not only to support each other in their preparations for the Fifth Meeting of the States Parties scheduled to take place in Bangkok, September 2003, but also to assist each other in realizing the goals set by the convention, and of each individual country.

Col. McDonough went on to ask the participants to keep in mind that when discussing all the many critical aspects of mine action, including mobilization of resources, mine awareness and clearance, victim assistance, stockpile destruction, information exchange and regional priorities and goals that it is important to focus on the future of what should be accomplished and how to go about achieving these goals, not just on what has already been done. Col McDonough concluded by remarking that with all the experienced participants at the conference, essential solutions were sure to be reached.