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More than 200 participants from 35 countries gathered from 3 to 5 May in Vodice to attend the 19th International Symposium “Mine Action 2023.” The symposium was held in cooperation with the Directorate of Civil Protection, under the patronage of the Croatian Parliament.

In the introductory speech, Ms. Katarina Markt, Managing Director of HCR-CTRO, specially thanked the Ukrainian delegation consists of high official delegation of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, SESU and representatives of OSCE Mission to Ukraine, who, despite the war and aggression in their country, decided to attend this year’s symposium.

In addition to the Managing Director of HCR-CTRO, the introductory speeches were given by Mr. Valon Kumnova, Director of the Mine Action Program from the Geneva Center for Humanitarian Demining, HE Vasyl Kyrylych, Ambassador of Ukraine to the Republic of Croatia, Damir Trut, Envoy of the president of the Government of Croatia and Director General of the Directorate of Civil Protection, and Branka Juričev Martinčev, Envoy of the President of the Croatian Parliament who opened the 19th International Symposium “Mine Action 2023”.

Special emphasis at this year’s symposium was placed on the war events in Ukraine and providing an emergency response by all countries in order to maximize support for Ukraine, with the aim of clearing agricultural and infrastructural areas from mines as quickly as possible, given that this is a precondition for the process of economic development of these areas and before of all, the return of the population, which aroused the interest of those present.

The main topics of this year’s symposium, along with presentations dedicated to Ukraine, were mine victims, activities aimed at increasing the safety of infrastructure from explosive remnants of war, mine action in Azerbaijan and research and development of new technologies on which more than 30 presentations of domestic and international experts were held.On the second day of this unique international gathering of leading experts in the field of mine action, a demonstration of mine action equipment producers was held at the Benkovac Test Site.

– training standards, research and development of new technologies and presentation of best practices in the field of land release, on which more than 35 presentations of domestic and international experts were held.

The symposium was attended by representatives of international organizations, national mine action centers, demining companies, manufacturers of mine action equipment, donors, scientists and representatives of other civilian and military structures involved in mine action.

The intention of the 19th Symposium on Mine Action was to connect the real sector with science and industry by selecting topics and moderators, with presentations of renowned manufacturers of demining equipment, with the aim of improving and upgrading the mine action system.