Switzerland hosts Ukraine Mine Action Conference 2024 in Lausanne

Since the war began in February 2022, Ukraine has become one of the most heavily mined countries in the world. It is estimated that almost a quarter of its territory - an area more than three times the size of Switzerland - is contaminated by mines and other unexploded ordnance of war. Humanitarian demining is a priority for Switzerland, which has long worked at the diplomatic and humanitarian levels to facilitate the reconstruction of Ukraine. This approach is in line with the Lugano Principles, adopted at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in 2022. Responding to humanitarian needs and supporting post-war recovery are key elements in building a just and lasting peace in the country.

People, partners, progress: the pillars of the Ukraine Mine Action Conference
On 17 and 18 October at the EHL Hospitality Business School in Lausanne, the Ukraine Mine Action Conference will bring together high-level representatives from governments, international organisations, the private sector and the scientific community. The event, which Switzerland is co-organising with Ukraine, will focus on the global aspects of humanitarian demining, highlighting three pillars in particular: people, partners, and progress. The aim is to put the civilian population at the centre of the debate, to highlight the benefits of partnerships and to show how innovation makes mine action safer and more effective. The programme includes a high-level segment on Thursday 17 October, followed by a technical, expert-level segment on Friday 18 October. Switzerland will be represented by the President of the Confederation, Viola Amherd, who will open the conference, and by the head of the FDFA, Ignazio Cassis.

UMAC2024 will also be attended by British photographer Giles Duley, a landmine survivor and the UN Global Advocate for persons with disabilities in conflict situations. His photo exhibition 'The Things They Carried: Objets d'Mort' opens the day before the conference begins, and aims to raise awareness of the devastating and long-term effects of war. The exhibition, supported by the FDFA, will be open to the public at Photo Elysée in Lausanne's Plateforme 10 museum hub until 31 October.
Swiss support for humanitarian demining in Ukraine and around the world
Since February 2022, the federal government has implemented various measures to support those affected by the war in Ukraine and allocated around 3.7 billion Swiss francs. Last year the Federal Council approved 100 million francs for a period of four years, earmarked exclusively for humanitarian demining in Ukraine. Thanks to its long-standing presence on the ground, Switzerland can provide direct and effective support in cooperation with partners such as the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) and the Fondation suisse de déminage (FSD). Humanitarian demining experts are currently active in the Kharkiv and Kherson regions, checking and clearing contaminated areas. Switzerland also supports an assistance programme for mine victims and smallholder farmers who are currently unable to work their fields.

In line with its humanitarian tradition, Switzerland has particular experience in the field of mine action and has been engaged in mine clearance worldwide for over 30 years. Under the Action Plan on Mine Action for 2023-26, Switzerland supports the implementation of the relevant conventions, provides assistance and specialised personnel for the clearance of contaminated areas, and explores innovative approaches.

Further information:

Ukraine Mine Action Conference UMAC2024
Action Plan on Mine Action for 2023-26
Support of the Confederation for the people affected by the war in Ukraine
Bilateral relations Switzerland - Ukraine

Address for enquiries:

FDFA Communication
Federal Palace West Wing
CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland
Tel. Press service: +41 58 460 55 55
E-mail: [email protected]
Twitter: @SwissMFA

Publisher:

Federal Department of Foreign Affairs