Lviv, Ukraine, 26 November 2025 — The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine, in partnership with the Ministry of Defence in Ukraine and with funding from the Government of the Republic of Korea, has held Ukraine’s first national conference dedicated to underwater demining. 

A key outcome of the conference was the formation of five specialized interagency working groups tasked with jointly tackling the main challenges of the underwater demining sector.

Over two days, the conference brought together more than 200 participants — including representatives of Ukrainian state institutions, international organizations, private technology developers, certified mine action operators, equipment manufacturers, and researchers — who collaborated across several priority areas, such as:

• Harmonization and development of standards and regulatory frameworks for underwater demining;
• Development of compliance requirements for equipment;
• Measures to reduce the environmental impact of underwater contamination;
• Coordination and alignment of training programmes for diver sappers.

Guided by the Main Department of Mine Action, Civil Protection and Environmental Safety of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, the discussions underscored the importance of underwater demining as a critical activity for improving human safety and promoting economic recovery. Participants stressed the need to build a modern system grounded in unified standards, high-quality professional training, and advanced technologies — to ensure the safety of diver-sapper teams already working across Ukraine and to increase the overall effectiveness of underwater clearance operations.

As part of the conference’s practical agenda, participants observed live demonstrations of equipment at the Ukrainian Training and Testing Complex (UTTC). There, divers from the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU) showcased high-tech Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) supplied by UNDP, which are already actively used in real operations.

A representative of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Ukraine emphasized his country’s steadfast commitment to supporting Ukraine’s recovery.

“The Republic of Korea is committed to advancing underwater demining, as clearing water bodies is vital for the safety of communities and for Ukraine’s economic resilience,” the representative noted. “The initial results of our cooperation with UNDP — equipping the State Emergency Service’s diver-sapper teams with modern ROVs — are already strengthening national capacities. We also see the development of an effective regulatory framework as a key priority to ensure coordinated and efficient underwater demining efforts.”

Speaking on behalf of UNDP, Jes Luckett, Mine Action Technical Specialist, emphasized the importance of practitioner-driven standards.

“UNDP is pleased to cooperate with the Ministry of Defence in creating a platform where practitioners and policymakers work together on national standards,” Luckett said. “As UNDP is already working on their development together with the national authorities, the insights gathered during this conference will ensure that future regulatory frameworks are practical and workable for those carrying out underwater demining every day.”

Background:

In early 2025, UNDP reaffirmed its support to Ukraine in strengthening national underwater demining capabilities under the Mine Action Programme (MAP). Assistance includes developing standards, expanding training, and providing modern technical equipment. This work is funded by the Governments of France, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, Sweden, Luxembourg, and the Republic of Korea.

In May 2025, UNDP delivered an initial tranche of 16 ROVs to SESU and trained 32 SESU divers in their operation. In November 2025, UNDP completed the training of Ukraine’s first unified national instructor team. The team consists of specialists from the SESU, the State Special Transport Service (SSTS), the National Police, National Mine Action Centre, and the National Mine Action Authority. These instructors are now qualified to train future operators of Deep Trekker Revolution ROVs, significantly increasing Ukraine’s national capacity to clear water bodies contaminated by unexploded ordnance.

Two additional tranches of equipment are expected to be delivered by early 2026.

Media enquiries: 

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