“Landmines and ERW remain one of the most serious threats to peace, development, and progress in many regions of the world,” Chairman of the Board of the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) Vugar Suleymanov said at the 2nd International Conference on "Mine Action - The Path to Reaching Sustainable Development Goals” held in Aghdam, Report informs.
“We are in Aghdam today. This once beautiful city carries the scars of landmines and explosive remnants of war. Aghdam stands as a touching reminder of the urgent need to deal with mines and ERWs. This city itself is a victim of mines. We are here because of a shared commitment to discuss solutions and forge partnerships that will pave the path towards a safer, more prosperous future without mines,” he said.
Suleymanov noted that the conference is organized jointly by Mine Action Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ANAMA) and the United Nations:
“I thank my UN colleagues for their valuable partnership. More than 190 participants from 51 countries around the world are attending our forum. It is an opportunity for each of us to discuss global problems of landmines while identifying local solutions. Landmines and ERW remain one of the most serious threats to peace, development, and progress in many regions of the world.”
ANAMA official stressed that no people should suffer from mines and ERW irrespectively of their nationality: “During the conference, we will hopefully not only examine the challenges at hand but also seek innovative solutions.”
“We believe demining to be integral part of the SDGs process,” he said.