Over the year, Ukrainians have obtained 35,000 square kilometers of demined land for use: Yuliia Svyrydenko at a meeting of the Sectoral Working Group

Ukraine has achieved significant results in mine action since the launch of the Sectoral Working Group operation. This was stated by Yuliia Svyrydenko, Co-Chair of the Sectoral Working Group, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine, during the fourth meeting of the SWG in Kyiv on September 30, 2024.

“Last fall, when the Sectoral Working Group started its work, 174,000 square kilometers of territory were potentially contaminated with mines and other explosive hazards. We had 18 operators, about 3,000 sappers and 32 demining vehicles. Since then, we have returned almost 35,000 square kilometers of territory to use. Today, 56 operators have been certified, the number of sappers has grown to more than 4,000, and 98 demining machines are working in the fields. All this has been achieved thanks to the joint efforts of all members of the working group,” said Yuliia Svyrydenko.

Yuliia Svyrydenko also thanked Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Ukraine, co-chair of the JWG, Kuninori Matsuda, whose term in Ukraine is coming to an end.

“I would like to thank Japan for its proactive work in the mine action sector: from participation in the development of the Mine Action Strategy to supporting Ukrainian mine action equipment manufacturers. Japan's contribution to mine action is more than USD 70 million, as well as dozens of demining vehicles and heavy machinery, thousands of pieces of equipment. This is invaluable assistance,” stressed Yuliia Svyrydenko.

As it was noted at the event, the number of members of the sectoral working group has increased to 69 over the year. Since the first meeting of the group, more than 15 countries have provided almost USD 380 million in additional support for demining in Ukraine.

At the meeting, Deputy Minister of Economy Ihor Bezkaravaynyi told the audience about the Conference on Mine Action in Ukraine to be held on October 17-18 in Lausanne. According to him, this year more than 70 countries and international organizations, as well as more than 50 scientific institutions, mine action operators, etc. have been invited to the event.

According to Ihor Bezkaravaynyi, a high level of representation is expected at the Conference.

“Therefore, we urge partners who are still deciding on the level of representation to delegate participants at the ministerial or equivalent high level. This will allow us all to achieve the goals of the conference to the fullest extent possible,” said Ihor Bezkaravaynyi.

The members of the Sectoral Working Group were also briefed on the Made in Ukraine initiative in the field of mine action and told about the current work of the Ukrainian Government and partners in this area.

“We urge you to join the Made in Ukraine initiative and purchase Ukrainian demining equipment, as Japan and other partners are doing now. This is an opportunity to achieve a double effect: to make Ukrainian land safer and to support Ukraine's economic stability,” said Yuliia Svyrydenko.

Background information

The Humanitarian Demining Sectoral Working Group was established in September 2023 as a platform for comprehensive coordination between the Government of Ukraine and international partners in the area of humanitarian demining.