International Day of Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action 2023; April 4th.

 FORUM: "MINE ACTION CANNOT WAIT." International Day of Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action 2023.

April 4th is the International Day designated by the General Assembly to raise awareness and seek assistance for mine action. On this occasion the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) is organizing a symposium on the theme "Mine Action Cannot Wait" to highlight decades of contamination in countries like Cambodia, the Lao People's Democratic Republic, and Viet Nam, as well as draw attention to recent explosive ordnance contamination in Myanmar, Ukraine, and Yemen.

Latest estimates show that in 2021, more than 5,500 people lost their lives or were injured due to landmines, with civilians, mostly children bearing the brunt of the devastation. Today, nearly 70 countries and territories are still contaminated by landmines. Every day, explosive ordnance contamination threatens lives, curtails freedom of movement, limits access to airable land, disenfranchises communities and above all instills fear and insecurity.


Focusing on the urgent need for a world free from the threat of landmines, explosive remnants of war (ERW) and IEDs, this global campaign aims to bring attention to areas of the world that remain contaminated, needlessly affecting the lives and livelihoods of millions of people.

Mine Action Symposium 2023.

 

Speakers will include the former Foreign Minister of Canada Mr. Lloyd Axworthy, who was instrumental in the creation of the Mine Ban Convention, former US Senator Mr. Patrick Leahy, a key player in funding mine action, the Permanent Representatives of Cambodia, Lao People's Democratic Republic and Viet Nam, Under-Secretaries-General Fleming, Lacroix and Gamba, film director Richard Fitoussi, Global Advocate Giles Duley, International Crisis Group journalist Richard Gowan and many more.

EXHIBITS

WORLDWIDE EVENTS

Statement from the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres’ on the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action 2023; April 4th.

For the millions living amidst the chaos of armed conflicts — especially women and children — every step can put them in danger’s path.

Even after the fighting stops, conflicts often leave behind a terrifying legacy: landmines and explosive ordnance that litter communities. Peace brings no assurance of safety when roads and fields are mined, when unexploded ordnance threatens the return of displaced populations, and when children find and play with shiny objects that explode.

The United Nations Mine Action Service gathers partners together to remove these deadly weapons, support national authorities, and ensure safe access to homes, schools, hospitals and farmers’ fields. The Service also supported the design of the Black Sea Grain Initiative and the safe export of grain and fertilizer from Ukrainian ports.

Yet, broader global efforts are essential to safeguard people from mines. I urge Member States to ratify and fully implement the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, the Convention on Cluster Munitions and the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons.

On this International Day, let’s take action to end the threat of these devices of death, support communities as they heal, and help people return and re-build their lives in safety and security.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.

                                

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