The 4th International Mine Action Conference is taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan, on 2 - 3 September 2026. The event is hosted by ANAMA, the Azerbaijani Mine action agency and the United Nations.
The conference, which attracts hundreds of particpants from all over the world, opened with a message from president Ilham Aliyev, delivered to the coonference by senior presidential administration official, Hikmet Hajiyev. The theme of the conference is HUMANITARIAN DEMINING FOR URBAN RECOVERY; SETTING STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE FOR SAFE SETTLEMENTS.
President Aliyev in his message said,
"Unfortunately, mines and unexploded ordnance continue to threaten human life and security in many countries around the world. Long after conflicts have ended, explosive ordnance continues to cause loss of life, injury to civilians, damage to infrastructure and delay reconstruction projects. In this regard, humanitarian demining is an essential commitment to safe settlements.
Urban reconstruction in post-conflict areas requires the restoration of buildings, roads and public infrastructure, as well as the establishment of security and confidence. No city, village or town can be fully rebuilt, no school or hospital can function safely, no family can return to their homes with dignity, and no economic activity can develop sustainably until the land is cleared of mines and explosive remnants of war. Humanitarian demining is therefore at the heart of urban reconstruction and the creation of safe settlements.
Azerbaijan has faced the most severe manifestation of this challenge. As a result of nearly 30 years of occupation of its territories by Armenia, Azerbaijan has become one of the most mine-contaminated countries in the world. According to preliminary estimates, more than 13 percent of Azerbaijan’s territory is affected by mines and unexploded ordnance. The liberated territories of Karabakh and East Zangezur remain heavily contaminated with mines and unexploded ordnance, which poses serious obstacles to reconstruction, economic activity, safe movement, and the return of former internally displaced persons to their homelands.
Since the end of the Patriotic War in 2020, 437 Azerbaijani citizens, including civilians, servicemen, mine-sweepers, journalists, and those involved in reconstruction work, have been victims of mine and explosive ordnance incidents, resulting in 73 deaths and 364 serious injuries. In total, more than 3,500 of our citizens have been affected by mines since the beginning of Armenia's aggression against Azerbaijan. Among them are children, women, and other civilians, whose lives have been tragically affected by this hidden threat.
The scale of this challenge is further compounded by the fact that the maps of mined areas provided by Armenia are largely inaccurate and incomplete. Mines and booby traps have been found not only in former military positions, but also along roads, near residential areas, in cemeteries, agricultural lands, forests, riverbanks, and other civilian areas. Nevertheless, Azerbaijan is firmly committed to meeting these challenges and ensuring the safe, dignified, and sustainable return of its citizens to their homelands.
Humanitarian demining is an integral and important part of the reconstruction and rehabilitation program in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan. The reconstruction of cities and villages, the restoration of infrastructure, the development of transport and energy networks, the revival of agriculture and the creation of new settlements are carried out in close and precise coordination with demining activities.
Large-scale demining operations are being carried out in the liberated areas. To date, more than 298 thousand hectares of land have been cleared, and 260 thousand 147 mines and unexploded ordnance have been detected and neutralized. Azerbaijan is applying advanced technologies, innovative approaches and modern management systems to increase the speed, safety and efficiency of demining.
Demining activities in Azerbaijan are directly linked to broader national priorities. They support reconstruction, safe return, agricultural revitalization, infrastructure development, environmental protection, social reintegration, and economic recovery. They also contribute to the implementation of “Azerbaijan 2030: National Priorities for Socio-Economic Development,” in particular the priority on the Great Return to the liberated territories.
Cities and villages destroyed during the occupation are being rebuilt within the framework of the Great Return Program, modern infrastructure, roads, tunnels, airports, energy facilities, schools, hospitals, cultural monuments and settlements are being restored. The practical results of this policy are already visible. To date, approximately 40 thousand former internally displaced persons have returned to their homes in the liberated territories. In total, the number of people currently living in Karabakh and East Zangezur has exceeded 90 thousand.
Azerbaijan is developing and implementing advanced models of post-conflict reconstruction, recovery and governance that integrate mine clearance, urban planning, infrastructure development, environmental rehabilitation, digital solutions, social services, public administration and the return of former internally displaced persons into a single coordinated framework. Areas destroyed and depopulated during occupation are quickly transformed into places offering housing, jobs, education and opportunities.
While many challenges remain, the results achieved so far demonstrate the effectiveness of Azerbaijan's integrated approach. We are ready to share this experience with countries and regions facing similar consequences of conflict. Because we believe that the Azerbaijani model of demining, reconstruction and return can be of practical interest to many partners around the world.
Azerbaijan has also taken important initiatives to promote mine action internationally. The importance of safe and sustainable settlements and mine action was at the center of global discussions during the 13th session of the World Urban Forum, which Azerbaijan successfully hosted in Baku.
In addition, our country has declared humanitarian demining as the 18th National Sustainable Development Goal and continues to work to recognize this issue as a global priority.
The mine problem requires stronger international solidarity. Azerbaijan is carrying the main burden of both humanitarian demining and the overall reconstruction and rehabilitation process in liberated areas with its own national resources. However, the scale of the contamination, the urgency of reconstruction, and the humanitarian importance of safe return require broader and more practical support from the international community. Predictable funding, modern equipment, technical knowledge, training, technology transfer, and long-term partnerships are essential to accelerate demining and reduce the hardship caused by mines.
I am confident that this Conference will serve as a valuable platform for open dialogue, exchange of experiences and development of practical cooperation. The discussions held in Baku will contribute to strengthening international mine action standards, promoting innovation, supporting the reconstruction of safe cities, and building safe, resilient and sustainable communities."
source: commonspace.eu
