Since the end of the 2020 Patriotic War, Azerbaijan has cleared more than 270,000 hectares of land from mines and unexploded ordnance. Vugar Suleymanov, Chairman of the Board of the Mine Action Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ANAMA), announced these figures during an event titled "Reconstruction in Post-Conflict Cities: The Critical Role of Humanitarian Mine Action" held at the Azerbaijan Pavilion within the framework of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku.
According to Operative Information Center-OMM, Suleymanov emphasized that the mine threat hinders restoration processes and limits development opportunities globally. "Since November 2020, more than 270,000 hectares have been cleared, and over 250,000 mines and unexploded military munitions have been discovered and neutralized," the ANAMA head stated. He added that addressing the mine problem requires not only national efforts but also sustained international support, innovative approaches, and the sharing of best practices.
Azerbaijan remains one of the most landmine-contaminated countries in the world following the decades-long occupation of its territories. The presence of these explosives poses a significant challenge to the "Great Return" program, which aims to resettle internally displaced persons in the liberated territories of Garabagh and East Zangazur. The government of Azerbaijan has made demining a top national priority, integrating it into the country's sustainable development goals to ensure the safety of civilians and the rapid reconstruction of infrastructure in the region.
