Tokyo, 21 October 2025 – On the eve of the Ukraine Mine Action Conference (UMAC 2025), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), under the auspices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, hosted the “Soul of Soil” event in Tokyo to promote global support for mine action efforts in Ukraine.

A joint initiative with Ukraine's Ministry of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture, Soul of Soil uses food to tell the powerful story of land reclaimed from explosive remnants of war. It demonstrates how humanitarian demining restores livelihoods and drives economic recovery for communities.

Forty international delegates of UMAC 2025 participated in a cooking and tasting session led by renowned Ukrainian chef Yevhen Klopotenko. They discovered Ukraine’s traditions and resilience through food and storytelling, preparing borsch and halushky – traditional Ukrainian dishes – using ingredients grown on demined fields in the Mykolaiv, Kherson, and Kharkiv regions.

Oleksii Sobolev, Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine, noted the urgent need for international support. “In 2025, Ukraine’s total cultivated area has declined by 23.5% compared to pre-war levels,” he said. “Initiatives like Soul of Soil show how humanitarian demining can restore farmland, revive livelihoods, and strengthen food security – not just for Ukraine, but for communities around the world. Global support is essential to ensure these efforts continue and reach those who need them most.”

Katsuro Kitagata, director-general and assistant minister for European affairs for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, stated that the initiative “Soul of Soil,” deepens solidarity and bridges the distance between Japan and Ukraine, and that through ‘Soul of Soil,’ we were able to experience Ukraine’s reclaimed land and its rich culinary traditions. He hoped that initiatives like this, which use food as a medium, will help raise awareness of the importance of mine action among more people.

Hideko Hadzialic, Director, UNDP Representation office in Tokyo, highlighted the symbolic meaning of the initiative. “Soul of Soil demonstrates that mine action is about much more than clearing land – it is about restoring livelihoods, dignity and the essence of community,” she said. “Sharing meals made from this demined soil is a powerful reminder of Ukraine’s resilience and of the collective effort needed to rebuild its future.”

Chef Yevhen Klopotenko spoke of the meaning behind every Ukrainian meal. “Each dish in Ukraine carries a story of courage – determination of farmers, deminers, and communities who reclaim their land and rebuild despite hardships of war,” Klopotenko said. “Cooking with produce from demined fields is our way to share that story with the world and celebrate Ukraine’s strength and spirit.”

Background:

Currently, an estimated 137,000 km² – roughly 23% of Ukraine’s war-affected territory – remains at high risk of contamination by explosive remnants of war (ERW), including 13,500 km² of water bodies. This contamination prevents farmers from cultivating their fields, threatens livelihoods, and puts communities at constant risk of injury or death.

Thanks to coordinated mine action efforts, the contaminated area has already been reduced by 37,000 km² since early 2023. UNDP's comprehensive five-year mine action programme in Ukraine focuses on strengthening national capacities to address the humanitarian and economic consequences of ERW contamination. UNDP assists national authorities in developing their National Mine Action Strategy and standards, while also providing training and equipment to local demining teams.

UNDP is grateful to its partners – including Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, the Republic of Korea, Spain, Sweden, and the European Union – whose support makes mine action in Ukraine possible.

Media enquiries:

Yuliia Samus, UNDP Ukraine Head of Communications and Advocacy; e-mail: yuliia.samus@undp.org

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