4 April 2025
“Even when
the guns fall silent, these remnants of war remain, lurking
in fields and on pathways and roadways, threatening the
lives of innocent civilians and the livelihoods of
communities,” he described.
From Afghanistan to
Myanmar; from Sudan to Ukraine, Syria, the Occupied
Palestinian Territory, and beyond; these deadly devices
litter rural and urban areas, indiscriminately killing
civilians and blocking vital humanitarian and development
efforts.
On average, one person is killed or
injured by explosive devices every hour – many of them
children.
This year’s observance, under the
theme Safe Futures Start Here, highlights the
critical role of mine action in rebuilding shattered
communities, supporting survivors and forging
peace.
Centre people, not
weapons
Stressing the importance of
innovation and inclusivity, the UN
Mine Action Service(UNMAS) is now urging
investment in micro and quick-impact
projects that address the urgent needs of people
with physical disabilities affected by conflict.
These
efforts build on the Pact for
the Future, adopted at the 2024 Summit of
the Future, especially its commitments to civilian
protection (Action 14) and scaling up technology and
innovation capacities in developing countries (Action
29).
Advertisement – scroll to continue reading
UNMAS has for over two decades tailored its
response to the threat of explosive hazards faced by
civilians, peacekeepers and humanitarians, in some of the
areas most impacted by war and its
aftermath.
Spotlight on
Somalia
In Somalia, IEDs remain a major
threat to peace and security. In 2024 alone, 597
devices caused over 1,400
casualties.
“Landmines and improvised
explosive devices have disproportionately affected civilian
populations,” said James Swan, the Secretary-General’s
Special Representative for Somalia.
“Today, we
honour those who have lost their lives to these deadly
devices and reaffirm our commitment to working alongside the
Somali Government and our partners to reduce this lethal
threat,” he said.
Significant progress has been made
in building national capacity, through specialised training
and the provision of life-saving equipment.
UNMAS
recently handed over a new set of counter-IED equipment to
Somali security forces, reflecting a growing
emphasis on national ownership and
sustainability.
Charting the next
steps
From 9 to 11 April, the 28th
International Meeting of Mine Action National Directors and
UN Advisers (NDM-UN28) will be held in
Geneva.
Co-hosted by UNMAS and the Geneva
International Centre for Humanitarian Demining, the meeting
will bring together global experts to address key challenges
facing the sector.
Mr. Guterres called on States to
uphold international humanitarian norms and join relevant
treaties, including the
Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, the Convention
on Cluster Munitions, and the Convention
on Certain Conventional Weapons.
“Mine
action works. Together, let’s commit to build safe futures
– starting here and now,” he
concluded.
