Saudi Arabia allocates $3 million for mine clearance in Azerbaijan

Saudi Arabia has pledged $3 million to support humanitarian mine clearance efforts in Azerbaijan, Saudi Foreign Ministry representative Salem Al-Qahtani has announced.

Speaking at the 4th International Conference in Baku, titled Humanitarian Mine Action for Urban Recovery: Setting High Safety Standards for Safe Settlements, Al-Qahtani said Riyadh was expanding its cooperation with Azerbaijan by providing financial assistance for clearing mine-contaminated areas, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

In his words, the funding aims to reduce mine-related risks, create safer conditions for civilians, particularly women and children, and support the reconstruction of affected areas and the return of internally displaced persons.

Meanwhile, Slovenia’s First Gentleman and member of the ITF Board of Trustees, Aleš Musar, stated that Azerbaijan’s experience in mine action deserves greater international recognition.

“It would be useful for the international community to become more familiar with the results achieved and the lessons that can be learned from this experience,” he noted.

UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) Director Mark Connelly said mine clearance in urban areas requires a comprehensive, phased approach and close coordination among governments, donors, humanitarian organisations and technical agencies.

He also highlighted the role of modern information systems, particularly IMSMA, in enabling the rapid exchange of information on hazardous areas.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov