Azerbaijan conference highlights role of humanitarian demining

A panel session titled Humanitarian Demining for Resilient Communities has highlighted the importance of international partnerships and long-term support for the rehabilitation of mine-affected people and their reintegration into socio-economic life, as well as strengthening the security and resilience of communities.

Held in Baku, Azerbaijan, as part of the 4th International Conference on Mine Action, the talks focused on the role of demining in ensuring the safety of settlements and the sustainable return of residents, fostering an atmosphere of trust and facilitating the reconstruction of post-conflict areas, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

The panel was moderated by Salman Haq, Deputy Director of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).

The event also featured remarks by Farid Demirli, deputy secretary general of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), and Ali Kemal Tural, director at the IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation (İHH).

Demirli said the main goal of mine action is not only to clear land of hazards, but also to restore people's safety, dignity and confidence in the future.

"Ensuring community resilience requires coordinated action between humanitarian demining actors, government institutions, international partners and local communities. A safe area is also the foundation of a resilient community. Demining enables people to safely return to their native places, resettle and resume normal life," he noted.

Ali Kamal stated that international cooperation is one of the key factors in achieving long-term and sustainable results given the scale and complexity of the mine problem.

"For sustainable results, demining should be viewed not merely as an operation, but as a comprehensive process aimed at ensuring security, social well-being, economic development and the future resilience of communities," he added.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov