Over 100 representatives of governments, international organizations and mine action operators gathered at a coordination partner workshop in Geneva

More than 100 representatives of governments, international organisations, and mine action operators gathered at a coordination partner workshop in Geneva. The event was organised by the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine and the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) with the support of key partners — Canada, Germany, Japan, and Switzerland. Participants discussed how to accelerate the implementation of Ukraine's National Mine Action Strategy and more effectively coordinate joint efforts to clear Ukrainian land of mines and other explosive ordnance.

Partners demonstrated their continued readiness to unite efforts and ensure that international assistance aligns with Ukraine's needs. Particularly regarding the implementation of innovative technologies, optimisation of resources and processes.

A separate discussion focused on the important role of humanitarian demining as a prerequisite for Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction. Ambassador Tobias Privitelli, Director of the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining, stated: "The scale of explosive ordnance contamination in Ukraine is unprecedented. This workshop demonstrated the collective determination of donors and the mine action community to support Ukraine's efforts to clear territories, protect civilians, and enable economic recovery. Coordination and sustained support remain crucial to ensuring mine action is effective, efficient, and impactful for the people of Ukraine."

The Ukrainian delegation at the workshop was led by Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine Ihor Bezkaravainyi. "Humanitarian demining is not just a technical task. For Ukraine, it is a matter of survival and recovery. Mine action lies at the intersection of security, reconstruction, and development. It enables displaced persons to return home, farmers to cultivate their land, and investors to rebuild destroyed communities," he emphasised.

"Six months after the Mine Action Conference in Ukraine UMAC2024 in Lausanne, we welcome this opportunity to gather in Geneva and discuss with Ukraine and partners from around the world the progress and challenges in implementing Ukraine's national mine action strategy. Humanitarian demining is not only a security issue but also a prerequisite for recovery, including agricultural production, which has implications for food security far beyond Ukraine. Switzerland remains committed to this cause and will continue to support mine action in Ukraine, having allocated over 100 million Swiss francs until 2027," declared Ambassador Julien Thöni, Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the Conference on Disarmament.

The workshop is part of a series of high-level international events dedicated to humanitarian demining, including the Mine Action Conference in Ukraine in Lausanne (2024) and Tokyo (2025), and the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Berlin (2024). The event was an important step in aligning donor support with Ukraine's national priorities to achieve strategic objectives in the field of mine action. Participants confirmed that further cooperation among all stakeholders is essential for achieving the goal of returning 80% of contaminated Ukrainian lands to productive use within the next decade.