Ukraine plans to develop a National Mine Action Strategy by the end of this year and a detailed National Programme by the end of the first quarter of 2024. This was announced by Yuliia Svyrydenko, First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine and Minister of Economy of Ukraine, during a meeting with Rory Logan, Head of Strategies, Performance and Impact Division at Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining.

Yuliia Svyrydenko invited the Centre's specialists to participate in the drafting of these documents, which are extremely important for Ukraine.

"We are currently working on the development of the Mine Action Strategy, which we expect to complete by the end of the year. The National Programme will be developed by the end of March next year. The Geneva International Centre is a globally recognised authority, particularly in the field of strategic planning for humanitarian demining. The expert assessment and professional assistance in the development of the National Strategy and the National Mine Action Programme, which are currently being developed, will be extremely valuable for us," said the First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine - Minister of Economy of Ukraine.

As discussed during the meeting, the documents are currently being drafted by a government working group. In autumn, a workshop will be organised with the participation of stakeholders - representatives of relevant government agencies of Ukraine, our international partners, mine action operators, etc.

The meeting also addressed the issue of returning potentially contaminated land to productive use. Today, more than 174,000 square kilometres are considered potentially contaminated. However, practice, particularly around the world, shows that much smaller areas may actually be contaminated. The key challenge is therefore to identify areas that can be returned to use as soon as possible and to focus efforts on surveying and, where necessary, remediating them.