Ukraine and Japan strengthen cooperation in humanitarian demining

The certification of mine action operators has accelerated twofold, Ihor Bezkaravainyi announced. The Deputy Minister of Economy reported that thanks to the optimisation of administrative procedures, the time required for operator certification has been reduced by half.

"When we started, the certification process took months. We optimised procedures, digitised part of the process, and strengthened the certification team. As a result, today it takes half the time. This means new operators can begin work faster," said Ihor Bezkaravainyi.

Certification is a mandatory procedure that every mine action operator must undergo before being authorised to work in Ukraine. It includes verification of technical capabilities, equipment, personnel qualifications, and compliance with safety standards.

"Accelerating certification does not mean lowering requirements. We have made the process more efficient without compromising quality or safety standards. Every certified operator meets all requirements of the national standards and international best practices," emphasised the Deputy Minister.

Thanks to the accelerated certification, the number of certified mine action operators in Ukraine has grown significantly — from 6 in 2023 to dozens by now. This growth is critically important for building up demining capacity.

"Our goal is to have a sufficient number of qualified operators to achieve the strategic target of returning 80% of contaminated lands to productive use within 10 years. Efficient certification is one of the key factors in achieving this goal," noted Bezkaravainyi.