Paving the Way for Safe Return:
Inside the 4th International Mine Action Conference in Baku
By Eokhub Magazine
From September 2-3, 2026, the global spotlight on post-conflict recovery turned to Baku, Azerbaijan, as the city hosted the 4th International Mine Action Conference. The high-level gathering, jointly organized by the Mine Action Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ANAMA) and the United Nations, tackled a critical prerequisite for global peacebuilding: "Humanitarian Demining for Urban Recovery: Setting Standards of Excellence for Safe Settlements".
Drawing more than 400 delegates from 60 countries, the conference brought together government officials, international organizations, donors, and demining experts to address the complex challenge of explosive remnants of war and to explore how safe land serves as the true foundation for urban recovery.
Demining as the First Step of Reconstruction
A recurring theme throughout the two-day summit was the acknowledgment that urban recovery in post-conflict zones cannot begin with poured concrete or new blueprints; it must start with the soil itself.
The conference opened with a message from Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, delivered by Hikmet Hajiyev, Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration. The message underscored the severe impact of landmines on the reconstruction process and emphasized that ensuring a safe environment is essential for a dignified return of affected populations.
Vugar Suleymanov, Chairman of the Board of ANAMA, further detailed the practical reality of this challenge. "In the liberated territories of our country, urban recovery does not begin with construction. It begins with making the land safe," Suleymanov stated. He noted that over 103,000 hectares have already been cleared for residential infrastructure in Azerbaijan, enabling the ongoing construction of the Aghali Smart Village in Zangilan, residential complexes in Aghdam, and vital transportation networks.
A Global Peacebuilding Mission
Humanitarian demining is increasingly recognized not just as a technical or localized issue, but as a critical component of global peacebuilding and sustainable development.
Elchin Amirbayov, Representative of the President of Azerbaijan on Special Assignments, highlighted this shift, stating that humanitarian demining has evolved into a peacebuilding mission. Marijana Kujundžić, Head of the European Union Delegation to Azerbaijan, reaffirmed the EU’s determination to eradicate landmine contamination globally, noting that "a settlement is not safe simply because explosive hazards have been removed"—it requires setting standards of excellence and building resilient communities.
The conference also spotlighted the vital role of international partnerships and long-term planning. Erfan Ali from the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) emphasized that demining must be integrated into urban policy and financing, while representatives from donor nations, including China, pledged continued support and financial assistance to bolster regional demining efforts.
Setting Standards for the Future
As delegates shared experiences, the discussions extended beyond the immediate threat of landmines to the broader implications for international policy. The sessions explored how to better connect donor mechanisms with reconstruction needs, promote innovative technological approaches to make clearance safer, and build community resilience.
The conference concluded with the adoption of a final declaration, cementing a shared commitment to strengthening international mine action standards. For Azerbaijan—which has declared humanitarian demining as its 18th National Sustainable Development Goal—the event served as both a testament to its national efforts and a call for stronger global solidarity.
The 4th International Mine Action Conference ultimately reinforced a powerful consensus: no city can be rebuilt, and no community can sustainably heal, until the shadow of landmines is permanently removed from the ground they walk on.
Clearing landmines
Rebuilding infrastructure
Restoring public services
Supporting local communities
In the liberated territories of our country, urban recovery does not begin with construction. It begins with making the land safe.
