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In 2023, Ukraine’s cooperation with international partners in the field of humanitarian demining has produced concrete results in terms of strengthening the capacities of government institutions and mine-cleared areas. The joint work will continue next year, and the foundation already laid will enable faster progress towards the strategic goals and objectives of mine action. This was discussed during a meeting between Yuliia Svyrydenko, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine, and Denise Brown, UN Resident Coordinator in Ukraine.
“In 2023, together with our international partners, we have laid a solid foundation for cooperation on mine action in Ukraine. A strong pool of donors has been established, and a sectoral working group on mine action is working to coordinate the efforts of Ukraine and partners in this area. Our partners have already provided tangible support – financial, organisational and institutional. We have declared even more ambitious intentions for the future. All of this is already yielding practical results – Ukrainian land is being cleared ahead of schedule. I am convinced that this cooperation will only intensify in the coming year. Together we will be able not only to consolidate what has been achieved, but also to make significant progress in creating an effective model for mine clearance on the territory of Ukraine,” said Yuliia Svyrydenko.
The meeting discussed practical issues such as mechanisms for returning cleared land to economic use and unifying approaches to mine clearance.
Yuliia Svyrydenko and Denise Brown also discussed the approval and further implementation of the draft Mine Action Strategy developed by the Ministry of Economy with the participation of national and international experts, representatives of donor countries, and others. As noted, the draft is in the final stage of approval.
During the meeting, the First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine and the UN Resident Coordinator in Ukraine also discussed the immediate work plans of the sectoral group and key issues to be presented to the group at its next meeting.
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