International meeting urged urgent action to clear mines across Ukraine

At a meeting convened by Italy and Ukraine, Speaker 1 urged the international community to step up support for clearing landmines and explosive remnants of war in Ukraine, describing demining as a humanitarian priority.

“Today Ukraine is one of the most heavily mine-contaminated countries in the world,” Speaker 1 said, adding that “an incredible one third of its territory is estimated to be affected.” The speaker noted the contamination has made large areas of farmland unsafe, worsening food insecurity and limiting Ukraine’s role in global supply chains.

The speaker framed demining as essential to protecting civilians and restoring livelihoods. He said frontline and recently liberated communities face casualties, injuries and disabilities from explosive remnants, and that the hazards are blocking the safe, timely delivery of aid to more than 14,000,000 people who require humanitarian assistance.

“The full-scale invasion has wrought untold devastation,” Speaker 1 said, noting that while bombs and drones have caused immediate losses, explosive hazards beneath the ground create a lethal legacy that could take decades or generations to clear without concerted international action.

Speaker 1 also referenced this year’s humanitarian needs and response plan for Ukraine, saying it “appeals for significant resources to help Ukraine mitigate the hazardous impact of landmines and explosive remnants of war.” The meeting, the speaker said, is an opportunity to discuss how the international community can support Ukraine’s demining and recovery efforts.

The remarks closed with a call for coordinated assistance to help people “once again be able to walk and work their lands in safety.” No formal decisions, votes or commitments were recorded in the transcript of these remarks.