International officials praise Azerbaijan’s leadership in mine action

Azerbaijan is supporting efforts to incorporate mine action into discussions on the UN Sustainable Development Goals through 2030, Gianluca Brusco, Director for Humanitarian Affairs at Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, said during the 4th International Conference on Mine Action.

Brusco noted that Azerbaijan was drawing attention to the links between mine clearance, climate resilience and sustainable development, Caliber.Az reports via local media. 

“Azerbaijan is raising the issue of the link between mine clearance and climate resilience, while also highlighting the connection between development and mine action in the context of urban recovery,” Brusco said.

He also highlighted efforts to normalise relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, stressing the importance of practical international support for the process.

Arturo Rodriguez Tonelli, Regional Programme Manager at the EU Service for Foreign Policy Instruments, praised Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) for their leading role in advancing mine action both nationally and internationally.

“Azerbaijan's experience convincingly demonstrates that mine action is not only about eliminating explosive threats. It is also about creating conditions for people to safely return home, restoring access to land and infrastructure, and establishing conditions for recovery and development,” Tonelli said.

He said international assistance should reflect national priorities and focus on strengthening countries’ own mine action capabilities.

Tim Lardner, Director for Europe and Central Asia at the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS), stressed that developing effective mine action capacity requires sustained international cooperation and coordinated donor support.

According to Lardner, building national mine action capabilities is a long-term process that requires durable partnerships. He also emphasised the importance of coordinating international assistance and linking mine action to broader recovery and development efforts.

By Sabina Mammadli