Azerbaijan Mine Action Agency increases number of employees to 1,400 people

The Azerbaijan Mine Action Agency (ANAMA) has brought the number of its employees up to 1,400 people.

Chairman of the Board of ANAMA Vugar Suleymanov said this at the second international conference “Combating the Mine Threat: Innovations and Best Practices” in Baku, Report informs.

Suleymanov recalled that in the year of its founding, the number of agency employees was only 300 people.

“We have increased our human resources potential 20 times. ANAMA began operations with 300 employees, and today their number reaches 1,400. In 2024, an increase in the number of personnel is also expected,” Suleymanov said.

Meanwhile, addressing the conference, Rufat Mammadov, Head of the Office of Azerbaijan’s Cabinet of Ministers, said that landmines have been found everywhere in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan.

“We found mines and explosive ordnance in all liberated territories, whether they were former settlements or agricultural lands, cemeteries, cultural monuments,” he emphasized.

According to him, this is a serious obstacle to the return of former residents to these areas, as well as to their rehabilitation and development.

"The Azerbaijani government considers demining to be among its top priorities," Mammadov added.

Then the event was continued by the UN Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan Vladanka Andreeva, who said the United Nations (UN) Office in Azerbaijan is proud of its long-standing partnership with ANAMA.

According to her, there is a need to endeavour to expand the partnership with ANAMA and international stakeholders play a crucial role in the success of demining activities.

 “Mine action is key to sustainable development and peace in all mine action countries. The path to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development must be free of mines,” she said.

She also emphasized that around the world, mines and explosives pose a threat to the safety, health, well-being and lives of people in more than 60 countries. The most vulnerable are women and children.

Further, Peter Michalko, Head of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Azerbaijan, stated that the EU will continue to support Azerbaijan in the humanitarian demining.

“Mine clearance is absolutely essential to ensure dignity, security, prosperity and safe return. The European Union has been a reliable partner of Azerbaijan in the field of mine clearance and is the largest international donor in this area. Since 2020, we have successfully implemented several projects together with ANAMA, as well as with international partners such as UNDP, UNICEF, and other international organizations,” Michalko emphasized.

According to him, the EU is a world leader in globally supporting mine action initiatives.

Michalko also mentioned that the EU plays a peacemaker role in the region, promoting peace, stability and sustainable development.

The II International Technical Conference, organized by Azerbaijan, is attended by more than 100 representatives of international organizations, operating and production companies operating in the field of mine action from 25 countries, government officials, as well as representatives of government agencies and the diplomatic corps, accredited in Azerbaijan.