EOKHUB Faces
Katarina Markt
Dear Katarina,
Thank you for this opportunity. We know you are busy, especially with the Symposium just around the corner.
You hold the position of Director of HCR-CTRO. Can you tell us more about the company?
HCR-CTRO, or Croatian Mine Action Centre – Centre for Testing, Development and Training, is a limited liability company established as the first institution performing testing, research, development and education in the field of mine action in the Republic of Croatia. CTRO is also the only company in the Republic of Croatia accredited by the Croatian Accreditation Agency to conduct certification of demining machines, metal detectors, mine detection dogs and personal protective equipment. Certification of humanitarian demining equipment is one of our main activities, by which we directly contribute to the safety of deminers and a reduced number of occupational injuries. The annual retesting of the equipment also ensures that it functions flawlessly in the field, and results in faster, more cost-effective and safer demining over time.
Beyond serving the needs of the Republic of Croatia, we provide certification services globally, mostly of demining machines and metal detectors. CTRO has earned an outstanding global reputation as a certification body - our certificate of conformity is often a prerequisite in international public tenders for the procurement and operation of demining machines.
Additionally, HCR-CTRO conducts a wide range of training courses for mine action stakeholders and actively participates in research and development projects of new mine detection technologies.
I hope I was able to briefly explain what we do in CTRO.
Are there any upcoming projects or initiatives at CTRO that you are particularly excited about?
We have a lot of projects ahead of us that we are looking forward to, some are still in the negotiation phase, and I cannot share details yet. For now, I would like to highlight a couple of EU-funded projects we are currently involved in.
We are in the final phase of an EU-funded project “Comprehensive Support to the National Mine Action Sector in Ukraine”. Together with the Directorate of Civil Protection, CTRO leads activities within Component 2, “Support for Strengthening Humanitarian Mine Action in Ukraine”. Our activities have focused on capacity-building for national mine action operators in Ukraine through the provision of strategic and technical advice on integrated mine action management. The project encompasses the transfer of Croatia’s mine action model, including the establishment of the mine action system, legal framework and regulations, as well as the dissemination of good practices and experiences gained by the Republic of Croatia during its demining efforts. Through this project, we have established excellent cooperation with all Ukrainian Mine Action stakeholders.
Furthermore, I would like to highlight two projects financed by the European Defence Agency. The first is AIDEDeX (Artificial Intelligence for Detection of Explosive Ordnance, Extended). The project consortium is led by the Space Applications Services from Belgium. This four-year project aims to provide a baseline for advanced and mature research in multi-robotic systems with state-of-the-art sensors and artificial intelligence algorithms for the detection and classification of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), explosive ordnance, and landmines. The role of CTRO involves developing a hyperspectral sensor and creating a database of explosives and explosive ordnance for AI-driven deep learning and for evaluating and verifying the sensors developed within the project.
The second project is GENIUS. The project coordinator is the Spanish company GMV and it brings together 18 partners. The main goal is to improve the technologies intended to combat IEDs and UXOs in response to new and evolving threats. CTRO will bring knowledge from its extensive humanitarian mine action experience, researching the application of hyperspectral imaging sensors and harmonic radar.
Let’s talk about you. Your appointment surprised the HMA community because you come from a different sector. Can you tell us more about your background?
Yes, I came from a completely different background. I am an economist by profession and I have gained my expertise in various jobs, in the state and public administration, as well as the private sector.
I believe that my biggest strength in this position is the fact that I came from a completely different field and that gave me a clear understanding of the priorities.
My primary role as a director is to improve business processes and overall operations in the field of mine action on the domestic and international markets. These tasks require good managerial skills, regardless of the experience from the specific sector. One just needs to adapt to a new field of work, and have the drive for excellence.
The success of CTRO is built on my vision, but also on the cooperation with the members of my team, an excellent team of professionals and associates that I can rely on.
You have entered your second term, congratulations. How do you see CTRO in the years ahead?
Mine action and awareness of mine-related risks have been critical issues in the past, remain relevant today, and, regrettably, will continue to be so in the future, due to ongoing global conflicts.
Today, CTRO is well-positioned to offer expertise and assistance in addressing mine-related challenges by sharing the knowledge and experience it has gained—both operating in a country that has faced this issue firsthand and through its extensive professional engagement in the mine action field. Our expertise and contribution to mine action have been widely recognized by all key stakeholders, and we are confident that we will continue to play a vital role in this area, with an even greater focus on innovative approaches.
We have established strong relationships with affected countries, donors, and NGOs, fostering collaborations that have led to impactful results. We are confident that these partnerships will continue to grow, paving the way for new projects and further cooperation. Our core competencies include testing and certification, training, and research and development of new technologies. These capabilities make us truly unique on a global scale, providing us with a distinct competitive advantage in the field.
How do you see the future of the HMA community?
Mine action and awareness of mine-related hazards extend across various sectors, including security, environmental protection, and economic development. It is not solely about the removal and clearance of explosive remnants of war but also encompasses crucial aspects such as victim assistance, mine risk education, and capacity building. Key elements of humanitarian demining include promoting regional and international cooperation, sharing best practices, and facilitating knowledge transfer. These are all essential components that the global mine action community works on, intending to ensure a safer environment for all.
By addressing these challenges, we contribute to enhancing public safety, fostering equitable and accelerated economic growth, and ultimately supporting the broader social and economic development of mine-affected countries.
One of the key players in this effort is the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD), which helps develop and professionalise the sector for the benefit of its partners: National and local authorities, donors, the United Nations, other international and regional organisations, non-governmental organisations, commercial companies and academia.
Are there any prejudices against women in humanitarian demining? Have you encountered them in your career?
Humanitarian demining is mostly male-dominated, but I must say that I have not had any negative experiences. While the number of women in this sector—particularly female deminers—has traditionally been low, it is steadily increasing year by year. A notable example is Ukraine, where there is a significant demand for deminers, and more and more women are taking on these roles.
Prejudices can be found in various fields, but in my opinion, they are more a reflection of individual attitudes rather than systemic barriers.
From 1st to 3rd April this year, you are organising the 21st Mine Action Symposium. The event has become a brand name. EOKHUB has regularly participated in recent years. The "fresh wind" is in the air, and everyone can feel it. What are the plans for this year and the years to come?
We are proud to announce that this year, our symposium has officially come of age in all countries. This is truly a remarkable achievement, making it one of the longest-running events in the global mine action community. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all our partners who have actively contributed, year after year, to shaping this unique event together with us.
I would also like to express my appreciation to the Government of the Republic of Croatia, namely the Croatian Parliament, for their patronage of the event, and especially to the Civil Protection Directorate of the Ministry of the Interior for continuous support in the organization of the Symposium.
As for bringing new energy, I believe it is a natural process—every leader brings their own energy and vision. Perhaps, as a woman in a traditionally "male-dominated" field, I have simply introduced a touch of feminine energy that has been recognized and embraced.
Our guiding principle in organizing this symposium is a dedication to advancing mine action through collaboration, innovation, and expertise. This year, we are not only continuing our tradition of knowledge-sharing and strategic discussions, but also introducing an innovative approach to the way we connect, collaborate, and encourage solutions. Our goal is to foster fresh perspectives, embrace cutting-edge technologies, and create dynamic interactions that lead to meaningful change in the field.
What are the primary objectives of the 21st International Symposium Mine Action 2025?
Key objectives of the symposium are to provide an overview of the latest scientific and practical achievements, to identify challenges, and to offer sustainable solutions in mine action. We want to bring together the brightest minds from the mine action community—experts, policymakers, researchers, and practitioners—who are committed to making a real impact through collaboration, innovation and expertise.
Can you share some insights into the keynote speakers and the topics they will be addressing at the symposium?
This year, the focus is on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has entered its fourth year. In that period, Ukraine made significant progress and made some substantial achievements in mine action. However, it is very challenging to develop a mine action system under wartime conditions. On this panel, we want to bring together key stakeholders of the mine action system in Ukraine, so that we can understand their achievements, challenges and plans. Secondly, we want to emphasize the importance of effective risk management, which is essential to every aspect of mine action and is critical for the success of any system. We would like to answer the question of how the development of standards and methodologies can contribute to the evolution of mine action, offering new perspectives. And finally, as every year, we will try to offer the latest R&D solutions and innovative approaches within mine action.
We expect the participation of high-level representatives of all international organizations, national mine action centres, ministries responsible for the implementation of humanitarian demining activities, manufacturers of demining equipment and scientists, who work tirelessly to find new demining techniques and technologies. For these three days, Croatia will be the focus of the global demining community.
Finally, who is Katarina Markt privately and how do you remain fit and relaxed, given the demands of the director’s position?
Privately, I am, above all, a devoted family person. I enjoy spending time with my loved ones, especially in nature. My well-being is also a top priority and I set aside time for long walks and reading, both of which bring me mental peace.
My personal life is highly organized and structured, which I believe is also reflected in my professional work. Family values are constantly being tested, making it a daily effort to uphold and pass them on to the next generation. To navigate these challenges, I am striving to stay informed about modern parenting trends, adopt innovative approaches to education, and remain in tune with the evolving needs of young people.
In my efforts to find a balance between my personal life and my director’s position, I fight battles on multiple fronts—and so far, I’m winning most of them.
Using UAVs and advanced detection tech
Empowering affected communities with skills & knowledge
Machine learning for better detection & risk assessment
Adapting methods for environmental challenges
