On April 28, 2023, a briefing was organized by the Mine Action Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ANAMA) for the representatives of embassies and international organizations accredited in Azerbaijan.

The aim of the event was to raise awareness and draw the attention of the international community to the severe issue of landmines in Azerbaijan, which is considered one of the most mine-contaminated countries in the world, by continuously increasing awareness of the humanitarian demining activities conducted in the territories liberated from occupation. During the event, information was presented regarding the 2nd International Conference on “Mine Action - The Path to Reaching Sustainable Development Goals” which is set to take place on May 24-26 in Aghdam and Baku, with a focus on addressing the issue of landmines and promoting sustainable development.

The second conference, scheduled for May 24-26, 2023 in Aghdam and Baku, is an important follow-up to the international conference on “Humanitarian Demining and Sustainable Development Goals” held on March 30 - April 1, 2022, and represents a significant step forward in positioning Azerbaijan as a leading country in the field of humanitarian demining.

In his opening address, Vugar Suleymanov, The Chairman of the Board of the Mine Action Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ANAMA), presented extensive information regarding the magnitude of landmine and explosive ordnance contamination in the territories that have been liberated from occupation. Mr. Suleymanov also spoke about the humanitarian demining operations that have been carried out by relevant organizations, and the commitment of Azerbaijan towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their relation to demining activities in Azerbaijan. Additionally, he highlighted the significance of demining efforts in restoration and reconstruction, as well as issues concerning the detrimental effects of landmines on human health.

Sultan Hajiyev, Deputy Head of Interdepartmental Centre for Reconstruction and Rehabilitation of Liberated Territories, emphasized the global nature of the landmine problem faced by Azerbaijan and the need to present the Azerbaijan's experience as a new national Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), as well as global humanitarian demining initiative for SDG achievement while highlighting the importance of joint partnership and support for Azerbaijan in this area and the potential for the country's experience to be applied in other countries in the future, in a statement regarding the upcoming conference.

The event holds importance in terms of highlighting the purposeful endeavours made by the Azerbaijan government towards humanitarian demining, raising awareness on the matter.

It is worth noting that landmines and explosive remnants of war pose a severe threat to the safety and well-being of people, hindering development and progress in many regions across the globe. Thus, it is crucial to engage in a meaningful dialogue to address the challenges and opportunities surrounding the global mine problem, in order to implement innovative solutions and combat this threat effectively.