Azerbaijan is seeking partnerships to effectively combat the menace of landmines and unexploded ordinances, the country’s ambassador to Kenya Sultan Hajiyev has said.
In an interview with the Star, Hajiyev said Azerbaijan intends to use the third International Conference on Mine Action opening in Azerbaijan on May 30 to reinforce existing partnerships and establish new alliances towards achieving a mine-free world.
Focusing on environmental impact of landmines and zooming in on mobilising resources for safe and green future, the conference also aligns with the lead-up to COP 29, which will be held in Baku later this year.
“Landmines are claiming lives resulting in major economic losses,” Hajiyev said.
“These seeds of death and hatred are making any reconstruction process so much more difficult while also impeding reconciliation."
The conference will bring together global leaders, experts and stakeholders to collectively explore sustainable solutions and foster international collaboration.
Azerbaijan is facing a large-scale landmine and Unexploded Ordinance (UXO) problem. It became one of the most UXO contaminated areas in early 1990s after the war with Armenia over Karabakh region recognised by the UN as part of Azerbaijan.
Having lost territories in 90s war and liberated them later, Azerbaijan regained access to mine-strewn lands with an estimated 1.5 million landmines and unknown number of ERW contaminating around 12 per cent of nation’s territories.
Landmines can remain active for many years, which is making them particularly insidious.
More than 200 landmine explosion incidents occurred in Azerbaijan in the last 3.5 years resulting in 359 victims, including women and children.
The Landmine Monitor Report 2023 says at least 4,710 casualties of landmines and UXO were recorded in 2022 around the world.
