The Mine Action Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ANAMA) is one of the most important state bodies, playing a key role in ensuring the national security of the country, protecting the civilian population, and the process of restoring territories that were under Armenian occupation for 30 years. The Agency was established in 1998 thanks to the visionary policy of national leader Heydar Aliyev and has since transformed into a professional, reliable, and highly qualified organization in the field of humanitarian demining.
Historical Development and Structure Although in the early years of its activity ANAMA operated in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme, over the years it has evolved into a fully independent state body with an extensive material and technical base and high human resource potential. The agency's main mission is to clear the territories liberated from occupation of anti-personnel and anti-tank mines, unexploded ordnance (UXO), and various types of explosive remnants of war, thereby ensuring the safety of lives and infrastructure projects.
The Demining Process and Challenges Our liberated lands are among the most heavily mined territories in the world. Hundreds of thousands of mines and other explosive devices planted by the Armenian side cover vast geographical areas, villages, forests, and infrastructure lines. ANAMA employees risk their lives daily, neutralizing these deadly threats. The demining process is extremely complex; it is not simply clearing the soil, but also a complete analysis of the territory from the perspectives of geodesy, engineering, and security.
Technological Innovations and Approaches ANAMA employs the most advanced technologies of the modern world. To accelerate and enhance the efficiency of the demining process, the agency applies the following methods:
Mechanical demining machines: Destruction of mines using heavy equipment in difficult terrain and areas with dense vegetation.
Artificial intelligence and drones: The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with advanced sensors for aerial mine detection. This has significantly accelerated the agency's work.
Mine detection dogs: Specially trained dogs with high sensitivity play an indispensable role in mine detection.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS): Creation of accurate digital maps of cleared and suspected territories.
"The Great Return" and the Role of ANAMA The implementation of "The Great Return" (Böyük Qayıdış) — the strategic goal of the Azerbaijani state — directly depends on ANAMA's activities. Territorial safety is a mandatory condition for the return of internally displaced persons to their native homes. By ensuring this process, ANAMA creates a "safety corridor" for the construction of new roads, power plants, water supply networks, and residential buildings.
Education and Social Responsibility ANAMA's activities are not limited to physical demining alone. The agency also conducts large-scale mine risk education campaigns. Seminars held in schools and local communities, public service announcements, and warning signs help people avoid mine threats and know about the need to immediately call the "112" hotline upon discovering suspicious objects. This is important for reducing the number of civilian casualties to zero in the future.
International Cooperation and Regional Leadership ANAMA is known for its expertise not only domestically but also on the international stage. The agency adheres to international demining standards and shares this experience with other states. The issues raised by Azerbaijan on international platforms regarding the mine problem are based on accurate statistical data and evidence presented by ANAMA. The agency also participates in international programs to support mine victims.
Future Goals One of ANAMA's main goals is to clear all liberated territories of mines by 2030. To achieve this goal, the agency is expanding its technical base, increasing experience sharing with international specialists, and most importantly, enhancing the professionalism of local personnel. ANAMA's work is the foundation of Azerbaijan's prosperous future, its economic development, and the protection of human lives.
Through its selfless work, this institution is erasing from our lands not only mines but also the bitter memories and dangers of the past war, ensuring the opportunity for people to live without fear on their native land.
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