Global mine action leaders convene: Ukraine leads with innovation, data, and inclusion

The event with the theme “One Humanity” brought together governments, UN representatives, NGOs, and experts to tackle one of the world’s most urgent threats: landmines and explosive remnants of war.

Ukraine played a leading role, represented by the government, UN agencies, working on the ground, civil society, and the private sector. As one of the most mine-contaminated countries in the world, Ukraine continues to drive new approaches, using innovation, data, and inclusive practices to transform mine action.

Supporting survivors beyond clearance

Across the world, landmines continue to harm civilians long after conflicts end. Farmers in Ukraine are injured while working in the fields. Children in Afghanistan and Myanmar have been hurt after unknowingly handling explosives. Communities in Cambodia, the Solomon Islands, and beyond still endure health issues long after hostilities ended.

Survivors often face lifelong challenges, including amputations, sensory loss, and deep psychological trauma. Their families often have to deal with invisible and underspoken burdens. From government representatives to scientists and deminers, there is a shared understanding: mine action must go beyond clearing land.

Representatives of the Danish Refugee Council in Ukraine, the occupied Palestinian territory, and Libya underlined the collective responsibility to provide long-term support, promote inclusion, and uphold dignity, so survivors can rebuild their lives and fully take part in their communities.

Using data to save lives and restore land

Ukraine showcased a new AI-powered system that helps prioritize mine clearance. By analyzing data such as soil type, population density, and proximity to schools or hospitals, the system identifies where clearance is most urgently needed.

Developed by the Center of Humanitarian Demining and the Ministry of Economy with UNDP support, the GRIT system also tracks broader impact, like restored farmland, access to services, and economic recovery. With the potential to be expanded to other countries with similar concerns, the systems highlight how mine action can drive resilience and development with proper prioritization and efficiency.

Paul Heslop, Special Advisor to the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine on mine action, underlined: “Given the scale of contamination in Ukraine, we have to be smarter and more efficient. A system where data and AI help us to understand not just where contamination exists, but where clearance is to be prioritized will make the biggest difference for people and the economy.”

Women’s untapped potential in mine action

A dedicated session focused on gender equality in demining. Representatives from Ukraine’s government, UN Women, and deminers themselves emphasized a clear message: there is no place for stereotypes in this field.

Women are already proving their value through skills, knowledge, and leadership. Programs like “She Demines” aim to expand opportunities for women, close workforce gaps, and break down barriers. Although the efforts to change perception within the society are ongoing, empowering women in mine action is not just a must; it makes operations stronger, more thought-through, and sustainable.

Adapting to new threats and funding gaps

Modern warfare is evolving rapidly, especially with the use of drones to deliver explosives. Mine action efforts must adapt, improving how threats are classified, tracked, and addressed. The representatives of UNMAS - the United Nations Mine Action Service - highlighted that the scale of contamination in Ukraine and other regions is growing faster than available funding. However, when there’s a problem, there’s a solution. Experts are calling for enhanced partnerships and new approaches that attract private investment while preserving humanitarian principles.

Closing the event, UNMAS Chief Kazumi Ogawa said, “This year’s theme, ‘One Humanity,’ encapsulates the idea that all of humanity, all of us, are in this together. It is our shared responsibility to uphold international humanitarian standards and human rights to rid the world of anti-personnel landmines, and to ensure that explosive hazards left after conflict are cleared before civilians, often children, become victims.”

Background information: The 29th International Meeting of Mine Action National Directors and UN Advisers took place at the Geneva International Conference Center from 22 to 24 April 2026, gathering more than 800 people from across the global mine action community, including donors, UN entities, NGOs, the private sector, and academia. The NDM is co-organized by UNMAS and the GICHD on behalf of the UN Inter-Agency Coordination Group on Mine Action and with the support of Switzerland.