The Convention on Cluster Munitions is an international treaty that restricts the use of cluster bombs, a type of weapon in which a primary munition scatters many submunitions ("bomblets"). The convention was formally endorsed on 30 May 2008 in Dublin, Ireland, and is due to be signed in Oslo in December.

Countries that ratify the convention are obliged "never under any circumstances to":

• Use cluster munitions;
• Develop, produce, otherwise acquire, stockpile, retain or transfer to anyone, directly or indirectly, cluster munitions;
• Assist, encourage or induce anyone to engage in any activity prohibited to a State Party under this Convention.

The treaty allows certain types of cluster munitions that meet strict criteria for limited number of submunitions and presence of auto-self-destruct mechanisms.

The main producers and users of cluster bombs, the United States, Israel, China, Russia, India and Pakistan, have said they would not support the convention.

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