Humanitarian demining results for May
June 20, 2025
Italy announced a new financial contribution to back humanitarian demining initiatives across Ukraine. Establishing an agreement worth 1.5 million euros today was officially finalized jointly with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine. With the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine acting as the main beneficiary, the agreement targets reinforcing the Mine Action Programme in Ukraine, an effort critically important for the nation's restitution and rebuilding.
Conducted in Kyiv alongside First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine — Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yuliia Svyrydenko, the official sign-off accentuated the pressing need for continued international backing in handling the massive explosive ordnance contamination across Ukraine's territory.
"Humanitarian demining serves as the ground-zero stage of Ukraine's economic recovery and a humanitarian overriding priority. Executing this agreement is crucial for implementing the National Mine Action Strategy and will allow realizing projects covering farmland clearing, infrastructure advancement, jumpstarting economic activity in de-occupied regions, and facilitating the citizenry's return to their homes. Establishing an agreement extending to 1.5 million euros highlights the strength of the international partnership, which proves vital to our state's durability," observed Yuliia Svyrydenko.
Per estimations, close to 138,500 square kilometers of Ukrainian land could be potentially riddled with explosive ordnance, framing a severe hazard to civilians and fundamentally undercutting economic steadiness.
"Italy feels honored to be supporting Ukraine throughout its endeavors in demining territories and water bodies. Italy's financial participation proves our unswerving support for Ukraine's security and rebounding. The allocated backing translates to a lifesaver in regaining avenues toward life and forging a stable future for the country," conveyed Italian Ambassador to Ukraine Carlo Formosa during the signing event.
From the start of the full-scale invasion, UNDP, closely partnering with the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine alongside the National Mine Action Authority, has championed developing and testing pioneering technologies geared towards humanitarian demining. These involve drone implementations, remote sensors, alongside artificial intelligence architectures meant for instructing explosive ordnance discovery outlines.
"The spectrum of mine contamination across Ukraine remains unparalleled, necessitating a thoroughly inclusive and harmonized counteraction. UNDP feels exceptionally appreciative to Italy for its benevolent backing, permitting us to employ forward-thinking technologies, perfect instruction, and widen territory clearing practices, eventually preserving lives and spurring sustainable progress throughout Ukraine," indicated Haoliang Xu, UN Under-Secretary-General and UNDP Associate Administrator.
Inviting supplementary funding will empower broader land release efforts, uplevel information handling structures, and prop up specialized training curricula intended for people with disabilities, veterans, and individuals injured by explosive ordnance.
