BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 2. The concluding
remarks of the International Conference on 'Humanitarian Mine
Action and the Sustainable Development Goals', held on March 31 – 1
April 2022 in Azerbaijan, have been published, Trend reports.

The conference was attended by representatives from 37
countries.

Preamble

1. The Participants expressed their sincere gratitude to the
Government of Azerbaijan, the Mine Action Agency of the Republic of
Azerbaijan and the United Nations Development Program for
organising the conference and to all participants for their
collaboration and support.

2. The aim of the Conference was to bring together key actors of
the demining sector from the international community, mine action
operators, government agencies and civil society to discuss the
importance of humanitarian mine action in addressing the threat of
mines to people's lives and livelihoods.

3. The Conference focused on exploring linkages between the
potential of humanitarian mine action for lasting peace and
socio-economic development and the achievement of the 2030 Agenda
for Sustainable Development, more specifically SDG 16th
that seeks to 'significantly reduce all forms of violence and
related death rates everywhere'.

4. In a stimulating environment of cross-cultural and
multi-disciplinary knowledge sharing best practices were exchanged
on the most advanced technologies currently available worldwide as
well as lessons learned from intense demining activities, which
were of particular importance for Azerbaijan as it is currently
undertaking major reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in its
conflict-affected areas.

The conclusions and the recommendations of the conference will
be calling upon stakeholders to strengthen cooperation and explore
options for further collaboration. The establishment of a
in-country donor coordination mechanism such as mine action forum
was suggested and at technical level it was recommended to
establish various technical working group to address key
challenges.

5. The conference papers and summary of discussions, challenges
and opportunities identified, and recommendations for further
action shall be published as a compendium, providing the means by
which a broad audience can updated on the development of the
sector, and above all gain understanding about the importance of
continuous investment into humanitarian mine action programs.

The Participants:

I. Recognize that the multi-lateral and interdisciplinary
approach promoted by the Conference can lead to new opportunities
for peace-building, sustainable development and international
cooperation on humanitarian mine action.

II. Acknowledge that humanitarian mine action cannot be
sustainable without partnerships at all levels.

III. Recognize the need for sustainable support structures and
financing, as well as the necessity of moving away from one-off
project financing to built-in mechanisms to ensure timely and
continuous funding for humanitarian mine action program in
Azerbaijan.

IV. Recommend to consider the introduction of a new Sustainable
Development Goal for humanitarian demining, to further strengthen
and harness synergies between mine clearance and measurable
progress towards a blueprint for a better, safer and more
sustainable future for all.

V. Acknowledge that humanitarian mine action is crucial for
sustainable development and vital for saving lives, preventing
injuries and rebuilding infrastructure, education and agriculture
and underline the importance of strengthening assistance to
Azerbaijan in humanitarian demining to support the ongoing
reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in conflict affected
areas. Explosive Ordnance Risk Education and victim assistance are
important and a integrated part of any mine action program.

VI. Acknowledge that capacity-building and capacity exchange on
humanitarian mine action are a continuing process, based on trust
and enduring relationships that require a long-term commitment.

VII. Further acknowledge that capacity-building and capacity
exchange constitute a continuous dialogue between all stakeholders
and awareness raising – hence recommend that this Conference is
considered as a cornerstone for the continued sharing of practical
experience and lessons learned in the area of humanitarian mine
action, and is held annually in Azerbaijan.