Switzerland hosts Ukraine Mine Action Conference 2024 in Lausanne

The event gathers international experts to discuss people-focused solutions, partnerships, and technological innovations for clearing mines across nearly 25% of Ukraine's territory.

Sep 17, 2024 - 21:00
Switzerland hosts Ukraine Mine Action Conference 2024 in Lausanne

switzerland hosts ukraine mine action conference 2024 lausanne federal palace bern 2010

Switzerland is set to host the Ukraine Mine Action Conference 2024 (UMAC2024) on 17 and 18 October at the EHL Hospitality Business School in Lausanne, according to a press release by the Swiss Federal Council. The conference, co-organized with Ukraine, aims to highlight the critical importance of humanitarian demining in Ukraine’s social and economic recovery.

Since the war began in February 2022, Ukraine has become one of the most heavily mine-contaminated countries in the world. The Swiss Federal Council reports that an estimated quarter of Ukraine’s territory – an area more than three times the size of Switzerland – is contaminated by mines and other unexploded ordnance (UXO) of war.

The conference will bring together high-level representatives from governments, international organizations, the private sector, and the scientific community. It will focus on three main pillars: people, partners, and progress. The event aims to put the civilian population at the center of the debate, highlight the benefits of partnerships, and showcase how innovation makes mine action safer and more effective.

Swiss support

As a neutral country, Switzerland does not provide military support to Ukraine or permit the supply of Swiss-made weapons. However, it supports EU sanctions against Russia and offers significant humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

The press release notes that the Swiss government has allocated around 3.7 billion Swiss francs or $4.38 billion to support those affected by the war in Ukraine since February 2022. Last year, the Federal Council approved 100 million francs or $118 million over four years specifically for humanitarian demining in Ukraine. Swiss experts are currently active in Kharkiv and Kherson oblasts, checking and clearing contaminated areas.

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