Azerbaijan hosts 4th International Mine Action Conference in Baku

The 4th International Mine Action Conference, held in Baku under the theme ‘Humanitarian Demining for Urban Recovery: Setting Standards of Excellence for Safe Settlements,’ addressed the critical role of demining in post-conflict reconstruction.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev emphasized that humanitarian demining is the foundation of urban recovery, stating that no infrastructure, such as schools or hospitals, can function safely and no economic activity can develop sustainably until land is cleared of mines and explosive remnants of war. He noted that Azerbaijan is among the most mine-contaminated countries globally, with preliminary estimates suggesting over 13% of its territory is affected.

Panel discussions at the conference focused on technology and innovation to improve the efficiency and safety of demining operations. Experts from the Turkish Mine Action Center and the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining highlighted how digital tools, data management, and new collaborative approaches can enhance productivity and ensure the high level of clearance required for humanitarian purposes, distinguishing these efforts from military mine clearance.