KYIV, 7 October 2024 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine, supported by the governments of the Netherlands, Sweden, and Japan, participated in the "Security 2.0: Humanitarian Demining" forum and exhibition on 3 October, which discussed innovative demining solutions.

The forum in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv brought together key industry players and featured thematic presentations from ministries, private enterprises, and NGOs highlighting the importance of developing new approaches to clearing land of explosive remnants of war. 

A significant part of the forum focused on discussions around funding for humanitarian demining and compensation for affected sectors of the economy – particularly the agricultural market. Oleksandr Lobov, a UNDP mine action specialist, presented innovative approaches for accelerating this process.

The event also provided an opportunity for Ukrainian operators to showcase their achievements. Among the technologies presented were survey and mine-clearing drones, robotic systems, and mine detection devices. The work of divers and service dogs was also demonstrated.

Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine Ihor Bezkaravainyi noted at the opening of the event that Ukraine has made significant progress in humanitarian demining over the past year: “2024 has been a year of progress, from regulatory frameworks to the implementation of new technologies,” Bezkaravainyi said. “With the support of our partners and the tireless work of Ukrainian institutions, we have established a ten-year strategy and strengthened the humanitarian demining market. Today, we see these innovations already working in practice.”

Roman Shakhmatenko, UNDP Energy and Environment Team Leader, said Ukraine faces unprecedented challenges in humanitarian demining: “This is why we need to be innovators,” Shakhmatenko said. “Today, we see Ukrainian specialists showcasing advanced technologies that bring us closer to a safe future. UNDP supports these initiatives, which are carried out in collaboration with the government and Ukrainian developers and operators.”

Ruslan Berehulia, head of the Main Department of Mine Action, Civil Protection, and Environmental Safety of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, added that “the number of participants in mine action in Ukraine is steadily increasing.” 

“Together, in collaboration, we are working to overcome the problem of contamination in Ukraine by explosive remnants as quickly and effectively as possible in the coming years,” Berehulia said.

Serhiy Reva, acting director of the Mine Action Department of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, emphasized that traditional humanitarian demining practices that were widely used before the full-scale invasion are not effective for today’s conditions in Ukraine. 

“Our deminers need support through innovation and modern equipment,” Reva said. “This will save their lives and expedite the return of land to safe use.”

Background

The "Security 2.0: Humanitarian Demining" forum and exhibition is an annual industry event that serves as a platform for humanitarian demining specialists to meet, exchange experiences, and demonstrate advanced developments and technologies. It was organized by the company Euroindex.

This year, the event received support from UNDP, the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, the Ministry of Strategic Industries of Ukraine, the Security Service of Ukraine, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, the State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine, the Association of First Aid and Tactical Medicine Operators and Instructors, the Congress of Local Self-Government of Ukraine, and the Association of Small Towns of Ukraine.

UNDP participated as part of the project Transformational Recovery for People’s Safety in Ukraine, implemented with the financial support of the Government of Japan, and the Mine Action Project in Ukraine, funded by the governments of the Netherlands and Sweden.

Media enquiries

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