The 4th International Mine Action Conference, was held in Baku, Azerbaijan, on 2-3 September 2026. It was organised by the Azerbaijani national agency for humanitarian demining, ANAMA, and the United Nations.
The Head of the European Union Delegation in Baku, Ambassador Marijana Kujundzic addressed the conference on 3 September, and reaffirmed the determination of the European Union to work globally for the eradication of landmine contamination.
She said,
"mine action is about far more than clearing contaminated land. It is about creating the conditions for people to return, for homes and public infrastructure to be rebuilt, and for communities to recover a sense of normality, stability and hope"
Here are her remarks to the conference in full:
The title — “Humanitarian Demining for Urban Recovery: Setting Standards of Excellence for Safe Settlements” — captures both the urgency of the task and the level of ambition required to meet it.
It reminds us of a fundamental truth: urban recovery cannot begin where land is unsafe, where infrastructure is contaminated, and where communities cannot return with confidence. Humanitarian demining is therefore not only a security imperative, but also a precondition for recovery, reconstruction and human dignity.
I know from my own country’s experience that mine action is about far more than clearing contaminated land. It is about creating the conditions for people to return, for homes and public infrastructure to be rebuilt, and for communities to recover a sense of normality, stability and hope.
Croatia’s experience has shown that mine action and reconstruction must go hand in hand. Recovery is most effective when it is guided by long-term planning, strong institutions and, above all, the needs of affected communities.
In Azerbaijan, this reality is especially visible. The EU recognises and praises Azerbaijan’s major efforts on the ground, especially the work led by ANAMA and all operational actors involved in surveying, clearing, educating, and assisting affected communities. We are proud to stand with Azerbaijan in this effort.
This is why the conference theme is so timely. If we speak of urban recovery, we must also speak of standards. If we speak of safe settlements, we must also speak of excellence.
A settlement is not safe simply because explosive hazards have been removed.
A settlement is safe when:
- families can return without fear;
- children can walk to school securely;
- public services can function again;
- reconstruction can proceed according to clear standards;
- and communities can rebuild their lives with confidence in the future.
This is the standard of excellence we should aim for.
In other words, humanitarian demining must be understood not as a stand-alone activity, but as part of a broader pathway towards safe, resilient and inclusive settlements.
Azerbaijan’s experience offers important lessons in this respect — not only on the scale of contamination, but also on the challenge of linking clearance operations with reconstruction, return and longer-term regional development. This is a complex undertaking, and one in which sustained international cooperation remains essential.
The EU strongly supports this approach. Together with its Member States, under a Team Europe initiative, the EU is committed to helping ensure a mine-free environment for communities and to supporting sustainable development across the region.
Our message is clear and consistent: no one should live in fear of the ground they walk on.
In that regard, today’s discussions are particularly valuable. They allow us to exchange experience on how mine action can better support urban recovery, how standards can be strengthened, and how partnerships can deliver more effective results on the ground.
Because ultimately, the objective is not only to clear land. It is to restore safety.
Not only to remove risks. But to enable return.
Not only to reopen space. But to rebuild communities.
That is the promise contained in this conference title — and that is the objective that should guide our work. The task ahead is still enormous, but so too is the shared determination.
The EU remains a reliable, long-term partner for Azerbaijan the field of mine action. We remain committed to supporting efforts that place humanitarian demining at the heart of safe settlement and recovery.
Together, we can help ensure that land once marked by danger becomes land of return, renewal, and opportunity.
source: commonspace.eu, with EU Delegation (Baku) and ANAMA (Baku)
