Heidi Kuhn, the founder and CEO of the international humanitarian organization "Roots of Peace", visited Azerbaijan on May 9-13, 2023. Just like the first one, her second visit was organized by the Mine Action Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ANAMA) and the International Eurasia Press Fund (IEPF).  Heidi is well known for her efforts to turn minefields into farmland. Having worked in 9 countries, “Roots of Peace” has made difference in lives of hundreeds of thousands of people. 

The main objective of the visit was to bring attention of the world community to major landmine and ERW problem Azerbaijan is facing in the liberated territories. Azerbaijan is one of the most contaminated countries in the world with mines and remnants of war claiming lives of innocent civilians while also impeding reconstruction and rehabilitation in the conflict torn areas.

During her trip to the mine-contaminated areas of Fuzuli district on May 9 Heidi was briefed on both major demining operations as well as reconstruction and rehabilitation programme. She detonated 6 anti-tank mines. As her visit was taking place on the eve of the Mother’s Day, together with women living in the area she made a joint appeal to the world calling for concerted effort to prevent mines from killing people. 47 women signed the statement.

On May 10, Heidi Kuhn, together with ANAMA and IEPF management visited the grave of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev on the occasion of his 100th anniversary. She has also participated in the tree planting ceremony under a national campaign aimed at paying tribute to Heydar Aliyev’s memory through making Azerbaijan greener. Together with the IEPF President Umud Mirzayev, Kuhn visited the IEPF employee Khazar Babashov who lost his leg in a mine explosion in Terter region on April 26 this year.

During Heidi’s visit to Azerbaijan the World Food Prize Committee announced that she is awarded with the World Food Prize. During the ceremony attended by the Secretary of State Blinken, Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack and other US and international dignitaries Heidi’s passion for making the world a safer place has been emphasized. It has also been mentioned that she has chosen to be in the field fighting mines in Azerbaijan on this remarkable day.

On May 12, Heidi Kuhn presented her book "Breaking Ground". Translated into Azerbaijani and published by IEPF, the book conveys the values and principles the author dedicated her life to.

During her stay in Azerbaijan earlier this month, Heidi Kuhn was received by Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan, Jeyhun Bayramov, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emin Huseynov, Special Representative of the President of Azerbaijan in the liberated territories included in the Karabakh economic region (except Shusha region) as well as Vugar Suleymanov, Chairman of the ANAMA Board. Azerbaijani officials expressed their gratitude for Heidi’s efforts to raise awareness of the mine problems in the country.

It is hoped that this partnership for peace will continue.