International Conference on Demining Ukrainian Lands Held in Lausanne

Demining Ukrainian territories is not only about clearing land of mines and munitions; it’s about the lives of people, the operation of businesses, growing grain, and ensuring food security not only for our country but also for the world. This point was emphasized by speakers at the Conference on Mine Action in Ukraine, held in Lausanne (Switzerland), with the participation of Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and Swiss President Viola Amherd.

Around 60 representatives from various countries participated in the event, including representatives from the "Peaceful Sky of Kharkiv" foundation, particularly project manager Oleksandr Varyvoda.

A quarter of Ukraine’s territory remains dangerous due to landmines, covering approximately 140,000 square kilometers. However, with the support of international partners, nearly 35,000 square kilometers have already been returned to use. These lands are coming back to life.

Humanitarian demining has been one of the priority areas for the "Peaceful Sky of Kharkiv" foundation since November 2022. This issue was crucial for agricultural companies in the Kharkiv region, which could not operate on agricultural lands. After the liberation of Kupiansk and Izium, the need arose to clear these areas so that people could return home.

The foundation is currently involved in three EORE projects – educating the population about risks associated with explosive devices. We are working in six eastern regions of the country.

"At the conference, we discussed the foundation's areas of activity, operational capabilities, and the status of certificate acquisition with the Ukrainian delegation and representatives of HALO Trust, the largest demining operator. We agreed on potential collaboration. We also held important meetings with representatives from the OSCE and UNICEF, where we introduced our assistance projects for affected individuals and agreed on joint work at our centers for social and humanitarian support," said Oleksandr Varyvoda.

Ukraine’s goal is to survey the majority of potentially mined areas by 2033.

"Raising awareness about mined territories and informing the public about risks were highlighted as key tasks by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal on the path to clearing Ukraine of mine debris. Our foundation has achieved significant results in this area. We hope that the agreements reached will help us work even more effectively," added Oleksandr Varyvoda.

Important statements for Ukraine: Conferences on demining Ukraine are planned for the next 10 years. The next country ready to host such an event is Japan. Partners are prepared to support and finance mine action projects in our country.

‍