Dr. Musar Speaks at the 4th International Mine Action Conference

The conference brought together more than 500 participants from 65 countries to discuss the challenges of humanitarian mine action, assistance to mine victims, and the recovery of areas affected by armed conflict. Azerbaijan continues to face one of the largest mine-contaminated areas in the world. As a result of more than three decades of conflict with neighbouring Armenia, approximately 12,000 square kilometres of its territory are contaminated by mines, making it the second-largest mine-contaminated area in the world, after Ukraine.
 
In his address, Dr. Musar emphasized the importance of soft power in mobilizing international support for mine action and assistance to mine victims. As an outstanding example, he referred to Princess Diana, whose personal engagement in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Angola 30 years ago made a decisive contribution to raising international awareness of the global landmine problem, increasing financial support for mine action, and strengthening the dignity and voice of mine victims around the world. He stressed that public figures and influential individuals continue to play an important role today in raising international awareness and encouraging donors to support humanitarian efforts in areas affected by the consequences of war. This, he noted, is the exceptional power of soft power.
 
In his speech, Dr. Musar also highlighted the achievements of the Azerbaijani authorities and ANAMA in the recovery and reconstruction of cleared areas. He noted that former minefields are gradually being transformed into new cities, industrial zones, transport links and, above all, safe homes where families displaced for decades can return. He stressed that the international community should gain greater awareness of the impressive achievements made by the Azerbaijani authorities in the recovery and reconstruction of mine-contaminated areas across Azerbaijan.
 
On the margins of the conference, together with ITF Director Amb. Tomaž Lovrenčič, Dr. Musar met with Amb. Elchin Amirbayev, a special representative of the President of Azerbaijan, as well as with the directors of mine action authorities from Lebanon and Serbia, where ITF actively implements mine action programmes, and with representatives of current and prospective donors. Among these partners, the Republic of Korea holds a particularly important place thanks to its longstanding donor support. With the support of these partners, the Slovenian humanitarian and non-profit organization ITF has been implementing mine action activities in Azerbaijan for many years, contributing to the safer and more sustainable recovery of areas affected by explosive remnants of war.