28th International Meeting of Mine Action National Directors & UN Advisers

Room: B

This event will focus on the Green Field Tool (GFT) and how it aligns programming with the updated International Mine Action Standards 7.13. New research findings on long-term environmental impact of mine action will be presented. The event will cover:

• Open-source data platform use for environmental assessments
• Risk assessment and measures
• Reporting indicators 
• Post-clearance impact assessment findings on the environment and land use

Mine Action Review / Conflict and Environment Observatory / MAG / NPA / UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office/UK Mission Geneva

Room: C

Mine action and national ownership offer pathways to address explosive ordnance contamination and contribute to economic development and peace. However, how to best maximize and document these benefits is not straightforward, particularly given the global conflict landscape. In this context, building on a study conducted by DRC in Afghanistan, Iraq, and South Sudan, as well as MAG’s research on HMA and food security in Lebanon, participants will discuss how the sector can strengthen outcome measurement to advance peace and development.

DRC / MAG

Room: E

This session will showcase CPWEI’s community-led Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) model, where children, vendors, and students take an active role in raising awareness and reducing risks in their communities. Participants will learn how grassroots education enhances resilience, promotes a culture of safety, and strengthens community-based risk reduction efforts. The discussion will highlight success stories, scalable strategies, and opportunities for collaboration. Ideal for humanitarian actors, donors, policymakers, and mine action practitioners seeking innovative, community-driven solutions.

Child Protection and Women Empowerment Initiative

Room: D

Chair:
- H.E Tomiko Ichikawa, Permanent Representative of Japan to the Conference on Disarmament

Speakers:
- Mr. Elnur T. Gasimov, Head of Monitoring and Quality Control Division, Mine Action Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ANAMA)
- Mr. Narciso Tiacafe, Head of Operations, Angencia Nacional de Accao contra as Minas (ANAM), Angola
- Ms. Eva Veble, Global Special Adviser, Norwegian People's Aid (NPA)
- Ms. Asa Massleberg, Programme Manager, Strategic Planning, Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Deming (GICHD)
- Mr. Rupert Leighton, Mine Action Chief Technical Adviser, Lao PDR, UNDP

Purpose of the Session:
Capacity development of partners and authorities to enhance their capability is an essential part of the mine action sector. This has been part of the DNA of mine action since its inception. Many millions of dollars and hours of time has  been dedicated to this vital competent of mine action, which has demonstrated a return on investment for those governments who have supported these activities. This panel seeks to understand current thinking about capacity development, share insights into it, and discuss the benefits of organization and system development to encourage sustainable improvement in capability.

Room: B

This side event will focus on the growing explosive threat in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, where improvised explosive devices (IEDs) continue to have severe humanitarian, security, and socio-economic impacts. Aligned with this year’s theme, "Safe Futures Start Here," national authorities will deliver presentations on the progress, challenges, and needs in addressing the explosive threat. The session targets humanitarian organizations, mine action experts, donors, and participants interested in the Sahel, emphasizing the need for sustained support in the region.

Mali: Le secrétariat permanent pour la lutte contre la prolifération des armes légères et de petit calibre / Burkina Faso: Secrétaire Permanent de la Commission Nationale de Contrôle des Armes / Niger: Commandant du Centre d'instruction du génie

Room: C

Ongoing conflicts, like in Sudan, leave behind explosive hazards that threaten lives and hinder humanitarian, recovery, and development efforts. This session explores the vital role of mine action in ensuring safe access, rebuilding communities, and fostering stability. Using Sudan as a case study, we will discuss best practices, challenges, and global lessons on integrating mine action into strategic response efforts for long-term impact.

Sudan National Mine Action Centre (NMAC) / United Nations Mine Action Service, Sudan Programme / GICHD

Room: E

In an era of declining humanitarian funding and continuing crises, how can coordination be strengthened? This event spotlights the Mine Action AoR’s role in complex emergencies supporting humanitarian mine action delivery in collaboration with a diversity of stakeholders. What are their successes, challenges and lessons learnt from Syria, Ukraine and Gaza?  How can donors, partners and national authorities contribute to this network? Join us to explore innovative solutions in building adaptable and effective coordination platforms.

UNMAS / UNDP / GFFO / Ministry of Economy of Ukraine / HI

Room: F

Mine-affected countries require tailored support across different phases of their mine action efforts, from emergency response to long-term development. This side event, organized by JICA with the support of MOFA Japan, with key speakers from CMAC and UNMAS, explores strategies to enhance national capacity through the Humanitarian-Development-Peace (HDP) nexus. Drawing from experiences in Africa, this session highlights best practices and discusses a roadmap for sustainable capacity-building and international cooperation. Japanese ambassador, Zambian ambassador and UNMAS Director will deliver their remarks.

JICA / CMAC / UNMAS / EMAO

Room: C

[To watch a video recording of the session, click here]

World War II explosive remnants of war contamination remain a serious hazard in Pacific Island nations, causing accidents to this day. However, efforts to address the explosive ordnance have been sporadic, and survey and clearance are crucial. The NDM presents a timely opportunity to engage with regional representatives, international operators, and donor states on achieving progress. Strengthening donor coordination and leveraging economies of scale will be key to accelerating clearance efforts and reducing their costs.

Palau National Safety Office / Solomon Islands Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services / HALO / GICHD / NPA

Room: E

This session explores the imperative of coordinated information management in mine action, focusing on the incorporation of common datasets to enhance both operational efficiency and strategic alignment. Drawing on shared experiences and integrated data—from humanitarian assessments to external sources such as infrastructure mapping and population movement—we aim to identify shared challenges and develop practical, field-ready solutions. The session will propose a collaborative approach to IM infrastructure for new programmes, ensuring that data structures across operators draw from the same reference sources and remain contextually relevant, standardized, and globally interoperable.

APOPO / CMAA / FSD / MAG / GICHD

Room: B

Chaired by: Papa Maguèye Diop, Director CNAMS, Senegal

Participating national directors/authorities: Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cote d’ Ivoire, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, and Benin

Room: C

Chaired by: Brigadier General Khalil El Shebli, Director, Libyan Mine Action Center, Libya

Participating national directors/authorities: Algeria, Djibouti, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Somalia, State of Palestine, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, Yemen

Room: E

Chaired by: Mr. Muhabbat Ibrohimzoda, Director TNMAC, Tajikistan

Participating national directors/authorities: Afghanistan, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cambodia, Israel, Republic of Korea, Lao PDR, Mexico, Myanmar, Palau, Philippines, Serbia, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Türkiye, Ukraine, Viet Nam, ARMAC

Room: F

Chaired by: TBC

Participating national directors/authorities: Albania, Angola, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Cyprus, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Mozambique, Nigeria, Peru, Russian Federation, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Thailand, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Room: B

This side event will present ongoing initiatives to increase the participation of women in Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) by creating opportunities and ensuring a more inclusive mine action sector. 

This panel will launch the initiative “Women in GIS for Safer Lands” as a sector initiative and appeal for support across the whole mine action community and private sector.

Zimbabwe Mine Action Centre / The HALO Trust / GICHD

Room: C

Through the experiences in Lebanon and Syria, this side event will present practical approaches to embedding sustainability in mine action from the earliest stages. By highlighting practical lessons concerning the role of mine action centres, civil society organisations, and regional cooperation frameworks, this session aims to identify pathways for effective mine action led by national programmes in a sustainable manner.

Lebanon Mine Action Center / Syria Civil Defence – The White Helmets / GICHD / MAG

Room: E

The session will focus on Residual Contamination Management (RCM) and the importance of establishing a sustainable national capacity to address residual risks after fulfilling all obligations under the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC). The discussion will emphasize the need for proactive planning to ensure long-term capacity for addressing residual risks.

GICHD / Thailand Mine Action Center 

Room: F

This side event will emphasize the urgent need for research, innovation, and technology in mine action to enhance efficiency and safety. Showcasing successful partnerships with ANAMA, UNDP, and global stakeholders, the event will foster discussions on innovation, funding, and cooperation, aiming to strengthen partnerships, identify new collaboration opportunities, and establish ICETMA as a model for impactful global mine action initiatives.

Mine Action Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan / UNDP / ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center / GICHD

Room: D

Co-Chairs
- Mr. Steinar Essén, Global Advisor, UNDP
- Ms. Maria Vardis, UNMAS

Speakers / Rapporteurs
- Lieutenant-colonel SAHGUI Djimon, Directeur du CPADD, Benin
- Mr. Meera Muhiadeen Nayeemudeen, Director National Mine Action Centre, Sri Lanka
- Mr. Khalid Hamdan Adam, General Director, National Mine Action Center, Sudan
- Mr. Cletus Maregere, Director, Zimbabwe Mine Action Centre

Purpose of the session
A rapporteur from each of the 'National Director Breakout Sessions' on Thursday afternoon will report back to Plenary on their group's discussions.

Room: B

2025 marks 25 years since the adoption of the Women Peace and Security Agenda. This anniversary comes at a moment when many of the hard-fought gains for gender equality and inclusion deserve renewed attention. This side event highlights the WPS relevance to all pillars of mine action, featuring presentations from GICHD, UNIDIR, operators, and national authorities.
Key topics:
• Women’s participation in mine action
• Inclusive approaches to clearance and EORE
• Gender-sensitive victim assistance
• Opportunities for collaboration

United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research / Gender and Diversity Working Group in Mine Action / GICHD

Room: C

The session will provide an overview of mine action activities in Gaza. 

UNMAS 

Room: E

Join us to hear how UNOPS partnerships turn policy into action, scaling national leadership while leveraging global expertise. Through practical examples, discover innovative approaches to clearance, risk education, and victim assistance. Survivor-driven narratives will highlight the power of assistive technology, while new advancements in AI and real-time data sharing will demonstrate how technology enhances mine action. From Ukraine, with the State Special Transport Service, we’ll share lessons from three years of scaling clearance efforts. Be inspired by stories of hope from Syria, where ATscale’s cutting-edge solutions are restoring mobility, dignity, and independence, transforming lives through expanded access to mobility aids, prostheses, and other assistive products and services. Explore innovative partnership models in Gaza and Africa where UNOPS implements with MAG and TDI on behalf of UNMAS. Take a glimpse into cutting-edge partnerships with academic institutions, with MIT, NASA, and CMU, where UNOPS is unlocking coordination challenges and finding new ways to make every day safer for those in conflict zones. We hope this session will spark new ideas and collaborations, ensuring that no one is left behind in the path toward a safer future. 

UNOPS, State Special Transport Service Ukraine, ATscale, MAG, TDI 

Room: F

Access remains a major challenge for mine action in highly contaminated countries like Colombia. However, fostering dialogue and empowering communities to lead risk education and propose transformative solutions has built trust among operators and communities, paving the way for non-technical survey and clearance efforts. These interventions have also amplified the impact of mine action, ensuring safer and more productive land use post-clearance. This side event will be a conversation between states and organizations on challenges and best practices to implement HMA activities in restricted-access areas.

Humanity & Inclusion / Colombia - Office of the Peace Commissioner / Center for the Humanitarian Dialogue / DRC

Room: B

This side event, focusing on the Central African Republic, aims to inform and engage the international community regarding the ongoing and multifaceted threat posed by explosive ordnance in the country. As efforts to establish a national mine action response are underway, the event will underscore the necessity for support in strengthening institutional capacities for mine action coordination and management, as well as present opportunities to promote mine action initiatives in the Central African Republic.

Government of the Central African Republic / UNMAS / MINUSCA

Room: C

Many actors contribute to mine action innovation, but coordinating efforts remains a challenge. Academics and technologists often struggle to fully understand field requirements and technology gaps in terms of scope and impact. The panel will present different perspectives on key innovation priorities and approaches for the next five years. The aim is to inform partners about strategic requirements and ensure future developments align with operational needs.

The HALO Trust / GICHD / Tech 4 Tracing / GICHD / Minesight

Room: E

We present a new model of explosive ordnance risk education (EORE) and community first aid responder (CFAR) trainings. In low-resource settings, community members may be the only option to provide first aid for the injured. The Explosive Weapons Trauma Care Collective (EXTRACCT) identified an opportunity to increase survival among EO victims, partnering with mine action and local stakeholders to integrate EORE/CFAR trainings in Burkina Faso, Myanmar, Mozambique, and Syria.

EXTRACCT / UNMAS / MAG / HI / NPA / HALO 

Room: F

Yemen faces a severe landmine crisis, ranking fifth for landmine and explosive remnants of war (ERW) casualties in 2023, according to the Landmine Monitor 2024. With 5 million civilians directly threatened, urgent action is crucial. This session aims to raise awareness of the impact of explosive ordnance on Yemeni civilians and engage donors, mine action actors, and stakeholders. The session will highlight progress in mine action efforts and discuss essential support for affected communities.

Yemen Mine Action Centre / Yemen Permanent Mission / GICHD / UNOPS / HI

Room: D

Chair  
- Mr. Khalifa Lawan, National Mine Action Coordinator, Nigeria

Speakers
- Mr. Meera Muhiadeen Nayeemudeen, National Mine Action Director, NMAC, Sri Lanka
- Mr. Ron Pouwels, Global Child Protection AoR Coordinator, UNICEF
- Ms. Francesca Marotta, Chief Methodology, Learning, Policy and Practice Section, OHCHR
- Ms. Lisa Anouk Müller-Dormann, Humanitarian Disarmament & Peacebuilding Coordinator, DRC
- Mr. Rory Collins, Global Information Management and Analytics Advisor, UNOPS

Purpose of the session:
Casualty recording is central to programmatic success and enables mine action actors to know where and how to target and design their interventions. The ongoing analysis of the patterns, causes, and effects of explosive ordnance accidents should be the cornerstone of the mine action work. The aim of this session is twofold: 1) Demonstrate why and how EO casualty recording can be used in mine action to make demining, risk education, victim assistance, advocacy, and stockpile destruction more evidence-based, more effective, and more lifesaving. 2) Describe how the use of EO casualty recording information has a critical impact on human rights.