OSCE official: Effective mine action starts with national ownership

Effective mine action must be rooted in national ownership, Kate Fearon, Director of the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre, said.

Speaking at a panel discussion during the 4th International Mine Action Conference, Fearon stressed that mine action is inherently a partnership-driven process, bringing together governments, national mine action authorities, local officials, international organisations, donors, operators, and communities affected by landmines, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

She pointed to the OSCE’s experience in Tajikistan, where the organisation has worked alongside national mine action bodies for more than two decades. With OSCE support, approximately 10–11 square kilometres of contaminated land have been cleared in the country, she said.

Addressing Ukraine’s experience, Fearon stressed that mine action should not be viewed solely as a clearance effort, but rather as an integral part of a wider recovery process.

“The question is which areas need to be cleared first so that communities can rebuild homes, infrastructure, services, livelihoods, and economic activity,” she added.

Fearon also stressed the importance of factoring environmental considerations into mine action operations.

By Jeyhun Aghazada