UN assistant Sec.-Gen.: Landmines - challenge to achieving Sustainable Development Goals

Demining is a very big challenge not only for Azerbaijan, but also for many other countries, Alexander Zuev, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Rule of Law and Security Institutions, who is attending the 2nd International Conference on “Mine Action – the Path to Reaching the Sustainable Development Goals” in Azerbaijan’s Aghdam, told journalists, according to Report.

“Many people become victims of landmines. Unfortunately, most often they are women and children. It is necessary to stop this,” Zuev said.

He noted that landmines are also a challenge to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, because they are an obstacle for those engaged in agriculture.

“I would like to congratulate Azerbaijan on holding such an important conference. I hope that such events will be held not only in the capital of Azerbaijan, but also in other countries,” Zuev said.

He reminded that the UN also finances the demining process, including in Azerbaijan. He expressed hope that the financing of this process could be increased, taking into account the scale of mine contamination of the territories of Azerbaijan.