The Ukraine Mine Action Conference 2026 — UMAC 2026 — will take place in Brussels on 16–18 November. The fourth annual UMAC will be co-hosted by the European Union and the Government of Ukraine, in partnership with the Kingdom of Belgium.
UMAC 2026 will bring together government representatives, international organisations, academia, the private sector and mine action operators to sustain and strengthen international engagement on mine action in Ukraine and globally.
For Ukraine, UMAC 2026 is not only a platform for discussing mine action. The Conference is also a space where partners make concrete commitments to support humanitarian demining. A year ago in Tokyo, following UMAC 2025, partners announced more than USD 80 million in funding for mine action projects in Ukraine.
“Over the past few years, Ukraine has made a major leap in the development of its mine action sector. Four years ago, we were asking for financial support and expertise because we had never faced contamination on such a scale. Today, Ukraine has a functioning humanitarian demining market, and a state programme covers 100% of the cost of clearing agricultural land, through which operators are returning tens of thousands of hectares of farmland to farmers. We have studied the experience of our partners and further developed it, while also offering innovative solutions that are already being used both in the field and in operational planning. Ukraine has moved from being primarily a recipient of support to becoming a full partner with expertise and solutions of its own to offer and share,” said Ihor Bezkaravainyi, Deputy Minister of Economy and Environment of Ukraine.
The theme of this year’s Conference is “Clearing the way in partnership”, with discussions focused on three key areas:
Shared Safety
Global safety begins with safe communities, restored land, and the ability of people to live, work and recover without the threat of explosive hazards. Humanitarian mine action is a foundation for recovery, long-term resilience and sustainable development in countries affected by war and contamination.
Shared Expertise
Ukraine is testing and applying new mine action approaches in real time and helping shape the future of the sector globally, while also drawing on and further developing the experience of other countries affected by contamination.
From drones, demining machines and AI-driven prioritisation to data systems, operational coordination and innovative approaches to financing, accountability and decision-making, Ukraine and its partners are helping make humanitarian mine action faster, safer and more effective.
Shared Responsibility
Sustainable mine action requires inclusion, trust and long-term partnership. It depends on strong coordination, effective prioritisation, national ownership and empowering local actors to build resilient, country-led mine action systems with lasting impact.
The Conference will also feature an exhibition of Ukrainian companies producing demining machines and equipment. The exhibition will include light and heavy demining machines, remote explosive ordnance detection systems, metal detectors and other technologies.
Learn more about UMAC 2026 and explore the Conference agenda on the official website.
