28th International Meeting of Mine Action National Directors & UN Advisers

Question 1

Opening Session

Question 2

Keynote Speech

Answer

Room: D

The keynote speech will be delivered by:

- Ms. Hannah Tetteh, Special Representative of the Secretary General, United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL)

Question 3

Plenary Session 1

Answer

Mine Action in Cities: Realities and Responses

Question 4

Side Events

Answer

- How can mine action operators best support reconstruction in urban environments that have suffered devastation during conflict?

- Syria at crossroads: Challenges and opportunities in addressing EO contamination in Syria’s new context

Room: C

As Syrians looked ahead to the prospect of peace after 14 years of civil war, the change in political context presents the international community with an opportunity to invest in stability and the reconstruction of Syria. Mine action is the key enabler for any sustainable future. How can we, as the mine action sector, overcome challenges, seize opportunities, and find paths forward to make sure that Syrians can live their lives in safety and dignity?

Syria MA AoR / UNMAS / NPA / HALO / HI

- Briefing on key findings and insights from Mine Action Review’s latest 'Clearing the Mines' and 'Clearing Cluster Munition Remnants' reports and new report on 'Environmental Protection in Mine Action

- Protecting civilians in active conflict

Room: F

This side event will explore the role of Conflict Preparedness and Protection (CPP) in safeguarding civilians during active conflicts. Building on discussions from the NDM plenary on Mine Action in cities: realities and responses, we will examine CPP as a civil protection activity and its implementation in both urban and rural settings. The session will also highlight how National Mine Action Authorities integrate CPP into Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) and showcase successful EORE/CPP coordination strategies.

We invite mine action practitioners, policymakers, donors, and humanitarian actors to join us in strengthening civilian protection approaches in conflict-affected areas.

EORE Advisory Group / Lebanon Mine Action Center / GICHD / NORCAP / NPA / HI / UNICEF

Answer

Room: C

As Syrians looked ahead to the prospect of peace after 14 years of civil war, the change in political context presents the international community with an opportunity to invest in stability and the reconstruction of Syria. Mine action is the key enabler for any sustainable future. How can we, as the mine action sector, overcome challenges, seize opportunities, and find paths forward to make sure that Syrians can live their lives in safety and dignity?

Syria MA AoR / UNMAS / NPA / HALO / HI

Answer

Room: F

This side event will explore the role of Conflict Preparedness and Protection (CPP) in safeguarding civilians during active conflicts. Building on discussions from the NDM plenary on Mine Action in cities: realities and responses, we will examine CPP as a civil protection activity and its implementation in both urban and rural settings. The session will also highlight how National Mine Action Authorities integrate CPP into Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) and showcase successful EORE/CPP coordination strategies.

We invite mine action practitioners, policymakers, donors, and humanitarian actors to join us in strengthening civilian protection approaches in conflict-affected areas.

EORE Advisory Group / Lebanon Mine Action Center / GICHD / NORCAP / NPA / HI / UNICEF

Question 5

Plenary Session 2

Answer

Restoring Land for a Greener, Sustainable Future

Question 6

Side Events

Answer

- Saving Lives Through Coordinated Action: Mine Action AoR’s role in complex crises (Gaza, Syria, Ukraine)

Room: B

In an era of reducing humanitarian funding and continuing crises, how can coordination be strengthened? This event spotlights the Mine Action AoR’s role in complex emergencies, supporting humanitarian mine action delivery in collaboration with a diversity of stakeholders. What are their successes, challenges, and lessons learnt from Syria, Ukraine, and Gaza? How can donors, partners, and national authorities contribute to this network? Join us to explore innovative solutions in building adaptable and effective coordination platforms.

UNMAS / UNDP / UNOPS / GFFO / Ministry of Economy of Ukraine / HI

- Climate and environmental risks in mine action– a practical tool to help identify, and manage impacts

- Enhancing Media and Communications Capacity for Mine Action National Authorities

- Technology and Innovation - Speed-Pitch Session

Answer

Room: B

In an era of reducing humanitarian funding and continuing crises, how can coordination be strengthened? This event spotlights the Mine Action AoR’s role in complex emergencies, supporting humanitarian mine action delivery in collaboration with a diversity of stakeholders. What are their successes, challenges, and lessons learnt from Syria, Ukraine, and Gaza? How can donors, partners, and national authorities contribute to this network? Join us to explore innovative solutions in building adaptable and effective coordination platforms.

UNMAS / UNDP / UNOPS / GFFO / Ministry of Economy of Ukraine / HI

Question 7

Side Events

Answer

- Mine Action is Core for Safe Futures in Ukraine: Situation, Prospects and Challenges

Room: B

Ukraine is the most contaminated country. Mine action in Ukraine is developing rapidly. There is progress in all areas, but there are significant challenges, especially in 2025. The Mine Action Strategy was adopted, the number of mine action operators and deminers increased, and the state announced the first tenders and innovative technologies are being introduced. Yet, several programmes have been suspended or reduced. Operators are dismissing deminers, and the potential for humanitarian demining is being lost.

Ministry of Economy of Ukraine / Ministry of Defence of Ukraine / UN Resident Coordinators Office Ukraine / MAG / Ukraine Demining Association

- Applying IMAS for Animal Detection Systems in National Mine Action Programmes: Challenges, Lessons, and Practical Solutions

- From Awareness to Action: How Community-Led EORE is Saving Lives in Conflict Affected Zones of Northeast Nigeria

- Humanitarian Dialogue in Mine Action: Preserving Neutrality, fostering dialogue and shaping the future.

Answer

Room: B

Ukraine is the most contaminated country. Mine action in Ukraine is developing rapidly. There is progress in all areas, but there are significant challenges, especially in 2025. The Mine Action Strategy was adopted, the number of mine action operators and deminers increased, and the state announced the first tenders and innovative technologies are being introduced. Yet, several programmes have been suspended or reduced. Operators are dismissing deminers, and the potential for humanitarian demining is being lost.

Ministry of Economy of Ukraine / Ministry of Defence of Ukraine / UN Resident Coordinators Office Ukraine / MAG / Ukraine Demining Association

Question 8

Plenary Session 3

Answer

National Capacity Development: Effective Localisation in Mine Action

Room: D

Chair:
- H.E Tomiko Ichikawa, Permanent Representative of Japan to the Conference on Disarmament

Speakers:
- Mr. Elnur T. Gasimov, Head of Monitoring and Quality Control Division, Mine Action Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ANAMA)
- Mr. Narciso Tiacafe, Head of Operations, Angencia Nacional de Accao contra as Minas (ANAM), Angola
- Ms. Eva Veble, Global Special Adviser, Norwegian People's Aid (NPA)
- Ms. Asa Massleberg, Programme Manager, Strategic Planning, Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Deming (GICHD)
- Mr. Rupert Leighton, Mine Action Chief Technical Adviser, Lao PDR, UNDP

Purpose of the Session:
Capacity development of partners and authorities to enhance their capability is an essential part of the mine action sector. This has been part of the DNA of mine action since its inception. Many millions of dollars and hours of time has been dedicated to this vital competent of mine action, which has demonstrated a return on investment for those governments who have supported these activities. This panel seeks to understand current thinking about capacity development, share insights into it, and discuss the benefits of organization and system development to encourage sustainable improvement in capability.

Question 9

Side Events

Answer

- Beyond the Blast: Progress and Challenges of Mine Action in the Sahel

Room: B

This side event will focus on the growing explosive threat in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, where improvised explosive devices (IEDs) continue to have severe humanitarian, security, and socio-economic impacts. Aligned with this year’s theme, "Safe Futures Start Here," national authorities will deliver presentations on the progress, challenges, and needs in addressing the explosive threat. The session targets humanitarian organizations, mine action experts, donors, and participants interested in the Sahel, emphasizing the need for sustained support in the region.

Mali: Le secrétariat permanent pour la lutte contre la prolifération des armes légères et de petit calibre / Burkina Faso: Secrétaire Permanent de la Commission Nationale de Contrôle des Armes / Niger: Commandant du Centre d'instruction du génie

- Mine action in Gaza - Saving lives, enabling humanitarian response and rubble removal

- Advancing cross-border demining: Practices from successful projects and innovations from outside mine action

- HDP Nexus for Effective Mine Action: Strengthening National Capacity from Emergency to Development

Answer

Room: B

This side event will focus on the growing explosive threat in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, where improvised explosive devices (IEDs) continue to have severe humanitarian, security, and socio-economic impacts. Aligned with this year’s theme, "Safe Futures Start Here," national authorities will deliver presentations on the progress, challenges, and needs in addressing the explosive threat. The session targets humanitarian organizations, mine action experts, donors, and participants interested in the Sahel, emphasizing the need for sustained support in the region.

Mali: Le secrétariat permanent pour la lutte contre la prolifération des armes légères et de petit calibre / Burkina Faso: Secrétaire Permanent de la Commission Nationale de Contrôle des Armes / Niger: Commandant du Centre d'instruction du génie

Question 10

Side Events

Answer

- From land release to durable solutions for resilient communities: measuring the impact of humanitarian mine action.

- Common Operational Datasets and Streamlined Reporting for Mine Action

Room: E

This session explores the imperative of coordinated information management in mine action, focusing on the incorporation of common datasets to enhance both operational efficiency and strategic alignment. Drawing on shared experiences and integrated data—from humanitarian assessments to external sources such as infrastructure mapping and population movement—we aim to identify shared challenges and develop practical, field-ready solutions. The session will propose a collaborative approach to IM infrastructure for new programmes, ensuring that data structures across operators draw from the same reference sources and remain contextually relevant, standardized, and globally interoperable.

APOPO / FSD / MASG

- Clearing the Past, Securing the Future: Addressing Explosive Remnants of War in the Pacific

Answer

Room: E

This session explores the imperative of coordinated information management in mine action, focusing on the incorporation of common datasets to enhance both operational efficiency and strategic alignment. Drawing on shared experiences and integrated data—from humanitarian assessments to external sources such as infrastructure mapping and population movement—we aim to identify shared challenges and develop practical, field-ready solutions. The session will propose a collaborative approach to IM infrastructure for new programmes, ensuring that data structures across operators draw from the same reference sources and remain contextually relevant, standardized, and globally interoperable.

APOPO / FSD / MASG

Question 11

National Director Breakout Sessions

Question 12

Side Events

Answer

- She maps. She protects: Women in GIS for Safer Lands

- Sustainable and Nationally Owned from the Outset: Experiences from Lebanon and Syria

- Residual Contamination Management

Room: E

The session will focus on Residual Contamination Management (RCM) and the importance of establishing a sustainable national capacity to address residual risks after fulfilling all obligations under the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC). The discussion will emphasize the need for proactive planning to ensure long-term capacity for addressing residual risks.

GICHD / Thailand Mine Action Center

- Advancing Research, Innovation, and Technology in Humanitarian Mine Action

Room: F

This side event will emphasize the urgent need for research, innovation, and technology in mine action to enhance efficiency and safety. Showcasing successful partnerships with ANAMA, UNDP, and global stakeholders, the event will foster discussions on innovation, funding, and cooperation, aiming to strengthen partnerships, identify new collaboration opportunities, and establish ICETMA as a model for impactful global mine action initiatives.

Mine Action Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan / UNDP / ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center / GICHD

Answer

Room: E

The session will focus on Residual Contamination Management (RCM) and the importance of establishing a sustainable national capacity to address residual risks after fulfilling all obligations under the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC). The discussion will emphasize the need for proactive planning to ensure long-term capacity for addressing residual risks.

GICHD / Thailand Mine Action Center

Answer

Room: F

This side event will emphasize the urgent need for research, innovation, and technology in mine action to enhance efficiency and safety. Showcasing successful partnerships with ANAMA, UNDP, and global stakeholders, the event will foster discussions on innovation, funding, and cooperation, aiming to strengthen partnerships, identify new collaboration opportunities, and establish ICETMA as a model for impactful global mine action initiatives.

Mine Action Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan / UNDP / ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center / GICHD

Question 13

Plenary Session 4

Answer

Report back from the National Directors breakout sessions

Question 14

Side Events

Answer

- 25 years of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda: Maintaining progress across pillars of mine action

- Securing the Future: Integrating Mine Action into Sudan's Humanitarian, Recovery, and Peacebuilding Efforts

- Partnerships in Action: How Collaboration and Innovation Drive Impact

- Pathways to access: Mine Action through Community Engagement

Question 15

Side Events

Answer

- A Global Call to Strengthen Mine Action Efforts in the Central African Republic

- What will mine clearance look like in 2030? A strategic approach to mine action innovation.

- Strengthening Local Capacity to Respond to Explosive Injuries

Room: E

We present a new model of explosive ordnance risk education (EORE) and community first aid responder (CFAR) trainings. In low-resource settings, community members may be the only option to provide first aid for the injured. The Explosive Weapons Trauma Care Collective (EXTRACCT) identified an opportunity to increase survival among EO victims, partnering with mine action and local stakeholders to integrate EORE/CFAR trainings in Burkina Faso, Myanmar, Mozambique, and Syria.

Explosive Trauma Care Collective / UNMAS / MAG / HI / NPA / HALO

- Mine Action in Yemen- a path towards improved livelihood

Answer

Room: E

We present a new model of explosive ordnance risk education (EORE) and community first aid responder (CFAR) trainings. In low-resource settings, community members may be the only option to provide first aid for the injured. The Explosive Weapons Trauma Care Collective (EXTRACCT) identified an opportunity to increase survival among EO victims, partnering with mine action and local stakeholders to integrate EORE/CFAR trainings in Burkina Faso, Myanmar, Mozambique, and Syria.

Explosive Trauma Care Collective / UNMAS / MAG / HI / NPA / HALO

Question 16

Plenary Session 5

Answer

Casualty Recording, a Fundamental Tool To Preserve Lives

Question 17

Closing Session

28th International Meeting of Mine Action National Directors & UN Advisers

Safe Futures Start Here

Meeting Information

Programme (Provisional)

Wednesday 09 April 2025

Thursday 10 April 2025

Friday 11 April 2025

Meeting Location

Donor

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