Tsaghkadzor, 4 April 2023 - On December 8, 2005, the UN General Assembly declared April 4 as the International Mine Awareness and Assistance Day. Since then, each year the UN and the international community celebrate April 4, highlighting the importance of promoting establishment and development of national mine action capacities in countries where mines and explosive ordnance constitute a serious threat to the safety, health and life of civilian population and create impediments to socio-economic development. 

This year Mine Action Day’s celebration in Armenia started with launching of a 2-day discussion of the National Mine Action Strategy and the Operational Plans for 2023-2027 in partnership with the Centre for Humanitarian Deming and Expertise of Armenia with participation of representatives of ministries, other state and non-state agencies, local and international NGOs, UN agencies, engaged in different pillars of mine action in Armenia.

As UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Armenia Konstantin Sokulskiy mentioned in his opening remarks, “UNDP emphasizes its solidarity with the European Commission by placing mine action within a broader development context. Ultimately, this will contribute to the successful implementation of all six principles of the European Commission's Global Gateway”. Mr. Sokulskiy also noted that “the new strategy will enhance national mine action programme, supporting the Centre for Humanitarian Deming and Expertise to provide rapid response to all existing and potentially emerging challenges”. 

Mine Action is one of the main priorities for the European Union, which has a long history of support actions that address the threat of mines and explosive remnants of war, covering all mine action pillars. Mine action is also one of the main pillars of EU peace and security agenda, humanitarian emergency response and sustainable development.

The discussion was organized within the framework of “Strengthening National Mine Action Capacities in Armenia” project, funded by the European Commission’s Service for Foreign Policy Instruments and implemented by UNDP in Armenia.