Ukraine Mine Action Conference in Lausanne
Lausanne hosted the second consecutive donor conference for humanitarian demining of Ukraine, which was called Ukraine Mine Action Conference-UMAC 2024, and was held in the period from October 17 to 18, 2024, jointly organized by Switzerland and Ukraine.
The conference in Lausanne is a continuation of the conference held in October in Zagreb, which was designed as a platform for the joint and coordinated mobilization of resources for Ukraine's recovery efforts, starting with humanitarian demining, as a prerequisite for the country's further economic recovery.
The Croatian delegation was led by the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Grlić Radman, who also participated in the plenary panel " Strategic approach to Mine Action: global experience and Ukraine’s perspective". Minister Grlić Radman presented the activities that the Republic of Croatia has undertaken and continues to do in terms of providing assistance to Ukraine. Minister Radman emphasized that Croatia has so far helped Ukraine with EUR 72.45 million in emergency, humanitarian and development aid.
During his presentation, the Minister emphasized Croatia’s internationally recognized mine action system, developed over the past three decades. He stressed that Croatia possesses the expertise, established systems, and highly qualified personnel to assist Ukraine in its demining efforts.
On the second day of the conference, Davor Laura in front of the Directorate of Civil Protection and HCR participated on the conference as a panelist and as vice-president of the advisory board of the Center for Humanitarian Demining of Ukraine. As a panelist, Laura presented Croatia’s institutional and systematic approach to demining, particularly in the adoption of new technologies and innovative solutions, such as the development of demining machines and aerial reconnaissance in mine-affected areas.
Željka Krhač, advisor for international cooperation, participated in the conference in front of the CTRO, together with other participants on the conference - high-ranking representatives of governments, international organizations, the private sector, civil society organizations and the academic community.
The first day of the Conference ended with the signing of the final document of the conference "Lausanne Call for Action" which outlined the key principles for the international community's ongoing efforts to support humanitarian demining in Ukraine. The document provided a framework for future collaboration and assistance in this critical area.
Additionally, it was announced that the third Ukraine Humanitarian Demining Conference will take place in Japan in 2025.
