Switzerland organizes conference on demining in Ukraine
Illustrative photo (Getty Images)
Switzerland will host a conference on mine action in Ukraine (UMAC2024) on October 17 and 18 in Lausanne, jointly with the Ukrainian side. The main goal of the event is to emphasize the importance of humanitarian demining for Ukraine's post-war recovery, Swissinfo reports.
According to the Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs, demining is critical to achieving a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. The conference will be attended by representatives of foreign governments, international organizations, civil society, and Swiss and Ukrainian humanitarian demining partners.
The UMAC2024 conference will focus on the interests of civilians and look at how innovation can improve the effectiveness and safety of mine actions. Switzerland will be represented at the event by the President of the Swiss Confederation 2024, the head of the Ministry of Defense Viola Amherd, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Ignazio Cassis.
According to the Swiss government, about a quarter of Ukraine's territory is contaminated with mines and unexploded ordnance. In 2023, the Swiss Federal Council approved a 4-year plan to assist Ukraine in humanitarian demining worth CHF 100 million (USD 118 million).
In addition, Switzerland is implementing a program to help mine victims and farmers who have lost the ability to cultivate their land due to mine danger.
Mine clearance in Ukraine
As a result of Russia's full-scale invasion, large areas of Ukraine were mined, but government agencies are gradually working to clear them.
Ukraine's Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said that about 30% of demining specialists are currently women, and the government plans to increase their participation in the field.
In addition, the European Union is launching a new humanitarian program to demine Ukraine, allocating €2 million for this purpose.
