UN assistant Sec.-Gen.: Resource mobilization - key task in demining

A key challenge in cooperation between the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) is resource mobilization, Ivana Zivkovic, UN assistant secretary-general, UNDP assistant administrator and UNDP regional director for Europe and the CIS, told journalists in response to a question from Report.

“This [mine clearance] is a very large-scale task, and we hope for the support of the international community to get more funding,” she noted.

According to Zivkovic, UNDP has a very long tradition of working in the field of mine clearance.

“We have a very good track record of working around the world. Now, together with ANAMA, with whom we have had a partnership for over two decades, we are pleased to continue this cooperation and help build capacity,” she said, adding that the creation of the Center best practices will provide educational and practical services not only to Azerbaijani sappers, but also to other countries.

“We are very proud to support ANAMA and the Azerbaijani government in this project. Azerbaijan is already using some of the most innovative demining techniques, such as animal-assisted demining, as well as innovative technologies including artificial intelligence and drone imaging,” added Zivkovic.