Nigel Ellway: Azerbaijan doing amazing work to restore liberated territories

Azerbaijan is doing amazing work to restore the liberated territories, Nigel Ellway, head of Secretariat and Policy Director of All Party Parliamentary Group on Explosive Weapons (UK) – Sustainable return of IDPs to mine-free territories: realities and perspectives, said at the 2nd International Conference on “Mine Action – the Path to Reaching the Sustainable Development Goals” in Azerbaijan’s Aghdam, Report informs.

He noted that his team would like to use the experience of Azerbaijan when they talk with the governments of other countries, adding that what he saw in Aghdam on May 25 was proof that Azerbaijan is doing everything possible to restore all the infrastructure in these territories as soon as possible.

Azerbaijan is among the most mine-affected countries in the world, with over 1.5 million landmines laid during the occupation period. The mine threat faced by Azerbaijan can be compared to the horrors caused by mass destruction weapons.

Overall, nearly 3,400 Azerbaijani citizens have been affected by mines since the start of Armenia's military aggression, with 587 losing their lives. Since the 44-day war, 302 Azerbaijani citizens have become victims of mines (57 killed, 245 injured).

Even after the conflict ended, Armenia continued to lay mines in Azerbaijani territories, using the Lachin corridor. More than 2,700 Armenian-made anti-personnel mines have been discovered in the Azerbaijani territory in 2021 alone, following the 44-day war.

Humanitarian mine action is one of the main priorities of Azerbaijan's state policy. Today, mine action in Azerbaijan is carried out using the most modern and advanced technologies available worldwide. Over 90% of Azerbaijan's mine action activities are conducted using internal resources, while external support is still limited.

The discussions to be held within the framework of the international conference on the topic "Mine Action - a Path to Sustainable Development" will contribute to the joint efforts in the field of mine action and pave the way for new ideas and initiatives for resolving the problem at the global level.

The first day of the conference was held on May 25 in the Aghdam city. The conference participants took part in a panel discussion. During the trip, the guests got acquainted with the construction and restoration works in Aghdam city.

About 190 officials representing 51 countries, including former heads of state and government, members of parliaments of a number of countries, senior staff of the UN headquarters, influential organizations conducting mine clearance work, as well as representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Azerbaijan, arrived to participate in the second International Conference on “Mine Action- the path to reaching sustainable development goals” organized by the Azerbaijan Republic.