Over $80 million in international support for demining as a key condition for Ukraine's recovery — UMAC 2025 conference continues in Japan
October 23, 2025
Over 80 million dollars in international support for demining as a key condition for Ukraine's recovery — the UMAC 2025 conference continues in Japan. At the conference, partner countries and international organisations announced new commitments to finance humanitarian demining in Ukraine.
UMAC 2025 started on 22 October in Tokyo. This year's programme focused on what the future after demining will look like and how people and technologies can accelerate this process, make it safer and more efficient. In addition, separate sessions were held on business opportunities, innovative financing, and digitalisation of the sector.
In total, representatives of 57 countries are participating in the event, including the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Croatia, Lithuania, Sweden, as well as heads of relevant EU and UN agencies and leading international organisations. The Ukrainian delegation was led by the Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine Oleksii Sobolev.
"Demining is one of the first components of Ukraine's recovery, opening the way for sustainable development of such important sectors of the economy as agriculture and forestry, energy, and infrastructure. Together with international partners, including the Government of Japan, we are bringing finance into the sector, integrating technologies and localisation of production to make it sustainable and investment-attractive," he said.
Deputy Minister Ihor Bezkaravainyi, opening the panel discussion on the nexus approach in humanitarian demining, emphasised that the stage of clearing land of mines and explosive ordnance must be integrated into all major reconstruction projects — from agriculture to energy. This approach allows reconstruction to begin faster, attract investment and create jobs, and direct donor funds where they bring the greatest socio-economic effect.
"Every safe hectare means that people can return home, grow crops, and earn money. These are new jobs, technologies, and experience that make our country stronger. Demining is not just a challenge, but also a great opportunity to build skills, industries, and trust in Ukraine's future," he noted.
In addition, on the sidelines of the conference, a number of important memorandums were signed, deepening international partnership in the field of humanitarian demining. Minister Oleksii Sobolev signed a memorandum of cooperation between Ukraine and Slovenia, strengthening practical coordination in the areas of demining and reconstruction. Furthermore, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine signed a memorandum on strategic partnership in the field of mine action. A memorandum was also signed between Azerbaijan (ANAMA) and the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, providing for the training of Ukrainian sappers at donor expense and the exchange of practical approaches in the field of specialist training.
Following the results of UMAC 2025, a document was adopted, signed by representatives of 45 countries and international organisations. The parties reaffirmed their determination to accelerate humanitarian demining of Ukraine as a prerequisite for recovery, strengthening cooperation within three key areas — people, technologies, and the nexus approach.
The signatories emphasised the importance of upskilling specialists, inclusion of women, veterans, and people with disabilities, development of innovative technologies, robotics, drones, and artificial intelligence systems, as well as localisation of equipment production in Ukraine. In addition, the document calls on partners to engage innovative financial mechanisms, including front-loading and impact investments, to ensure sustainable financing and the transition from humanitarian response to sustainable development.
Conference participants expressed gratitude to the Government of Japan for hosting the event and its leadership in the global field of humanitarian demining, emphasising that UMAC 2025 became a platform of unity, innovation, and joint actions aimed at accelerating Ukraine's recovery and strengthening global security.
UMAC is the largest annual international conference dedicated to humanitarian demining of Ukraine. Next year, the event will be hosted by representatives of the European Union in Brussels.
