Saudi Arabia allocates $3 million for mine clearance in Azerbaijan, MFA says

Saudi Arabia has allocated $3 million for humanitarian mine clearance efforts in Azerbaijan, Saudi Foreign Ministry representative Salem Al-Qahtani said at the 4th International Conference in Baku titled "Humanitarian Mine Action for Urban Recovery: Setting High Safety Standards for Safe Settlements."

Report quotes him as saying Saudi Arabia is also expanding its efforts and cooperation with Azerbaijan by providing financial support for clearing territories of mine contamination.

The spokesman said that the assistance is aimed at reducing mine-related risks, creating a safe environment for civilians, particularly women and children, as well as supporting the reconstruction of territories and the return of internally displaced persons.

Meanwhile, Slovenia's First Gentleman and member of the ITF Board of Trustees Aleš Musar said Azerbaijan's experience in mine action deserves greater international recognition and attention.

"It would be useful for the international community to become more familiar with the results achieved and the lessons that can be learned from this experience," he said.

UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) Director Mark Connelly, for his part, stressed that mine clearance in urban areas requires a comprehensive and phased approach, as well as close coordination among governments, donors, humanitarian organizations and technical agencies.

He noted that modern information systems, particularly IMSMA, play an important role in this process by enabling the rapid exchange of data on hazardous areas.