Ukraine Mine Action Conference UMAC2024

Humanitarian mine action is essential for social and economic recovery in the aftermath of armed conflicts. Contamination from mines and other explosive ordnance directly impacts civilian life, affecting agricultural production and disrupting access to essential services such as education and healthcare in Ukraine and beyond. Victims and survivors need help.

The dynamics of mine action extend beyond traditional donor–recipient relationships.  Establishing the right institutional architecture for an effective national mine action programme is essential for Ukraine.  International partners bring their expertise, affected countries offer their experience, and Ukraine shares the lessons it has learned.

Innovation has made humanitarian mine action more effective, efficient and safer. By continuously innovating in methods, technologies and financing, we can further enhance the effectiveness of the sector.

Building on the momentum of the International Donors' Conference on Humanitarian Demining in Ukraine in Zagreb on 11–12 October 2023 and inspired by the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2022 in Lugano, UMAC2024 further paved the way for international cooperation and support in the field of humanitarian mine action. Switzerland is engaged at both the technical and diplomatic levels. In November 2022, it held an initial workshop on donor coordination together with the GICHD in Geneva. Throughout 2024 it also organised a series of events – the Road to Lausanne – which included an international workshop meeting in Kyiv in April.

The Ukraine Mine Action Conference brought together high-level representatives from governments, international organisations, the private sector, civil society and the scientific community in Lausanne to address the broad aspects of humanitarian mine action under the guiding themes of people, partners, and progress. The aim was to highlight the critical importance of mine clearance as part of social and economic recovery.

Switzerland has invited more than 50 states as well as the relevant international and regional organisations. There were  also participants from NGOs, the scientific community and the private sector. In addition to all EU countries, donor countries and the affected states from the global south have also been invited. 

The conference agenda featured a high-level segment on Thursday 17 October, followed by an expert segment on Friday 18 October. The conference included both plenary discussions and individual panel discussions. Alongside the main programme, there were also be presentations on a replica minefield, a photo exhibition by the renowned English photographer Giles Duley, and a virtual reality experience.