Ukraine and Azerbaijan are working to expand the exchange of expertise in humanitarian demining, particularly in urban areas. For Ukraine, Azerbaijan’s experience is important for the future clearance and reconstruction of liberated settlements.
The issue was discussed during the 4th International Conference on Mine Action in Baku, where the Ukrainian delegation held a series of meetings with representatives of countries that have experience in addressing mine contamination.
During a meeting with Vugar Suleymanov, Chairman of the Board of the Mine Action Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ANAMA), Dmytro Panshyn, Head of the Humanitarian Demining Department at Ukraine’s Ministry of Economy, discussed expanding joint projects and exchanging practical expertise.
Ukraine is particularly interested in Azerbaijan’s experience in humanitarian demining in urban areas and preparing cleared territories for subsequent reconstruction. The two sides also discussed the possibility of trilateral cooperation between Ukraine, Azerbaijan and the United Nations.
Ukraine invited ANAMA to participate in the Ukraine Mine Action Conference (UMAC 2026), which will take place in Brussels in mid-November.
During the conference, Ukraine also strengthened its dialogue with national mine action authorities from other countries affected by mine contamination. Discussions focused on giving greater consideration to their practical experience when developing international mechanisms, training programmes and approaches to mine action support.
“Ukraine is interested in strengthening cooperation with countries that have also experienced mine contamination. It is important that the needs, priorities and practical experience of these countries shape the main approaches to mine action, while international partners and donors support their implementation,” Panshyn said.
Representatives of Lebanon also expressed interest in Ukraine’s experience in clearing agricultural land. During a meeting with Roger Khoury, Director of the Lebanon Mine Action Center, the two sides discussed opportunities to exchange expertise on restoring soil and land affected by hostilities and explosive contamination.
They also discussed further technical consultations between the relevant institutions of the two countries.
Ukraine was also represented at the conference by officials from the Ministry of Defence, the State Emergency Service and civil society organisations. The event brought together more than 400 participants from 60 countries.
