“United Nations Mine Action Service: 20 Years of Humanitarian Mine Action”

Ambassador Suxo Iturry,
Under-Secretary-General O’Brien,
Director Marcaillou,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Outside the Palais des Nations stands a 12-meter chair with a broken leg. Facing the flags of the United Nations and its Member States, this “Broken Chair” is a monumental reminder that conflicts continue to maim and kill long after the guns fall silent. That even when civilians are freed from the horrors of war, they are still confined by the fear of landmines and explosive remnants of war. A fear that prevents a return to normal life: farmers cannot till, children cannot play and teachers cannot teach. This reality is why we are gathered here this evening to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the United Nations Mine Action Service and its brave women and men, who risk their lives to remove the deadly legacy of war. I would like to thank UNMAS and its Director, Ms. Agnès Marcaillou, for this event and for their life-saving work. I would also like to thank the Permanent Mission of the Plurinational State of Bolivia and Ambassador Suxo Iturry for helping make this evening possible. The Bolivian government decided to make mine action the focus of its June Presidency of the United Nations Security Council, bringing this vital issue to the forefront of global attention.

Since its founding in 1997, UNMAS has cleared vast tracts of land around the world, educated millions in affected areas on safety and provided care to countless victims. An efficient and quick service, UNMAS makes it possible for the international community to rapidly deploy humanitarian aid to mine-risk areas. In its work, UNMAS bridges the divide between humanitarian action and development. There may not be a Sustainable Development Goal for mine action, but the removal of mines and explosive remnants of war lays the foundation for a durable recovery and sustainable development: land can be farmed, roads reopened, schools attended and livelihoods earned. Today, more than half of all states affected by landmines are least developed countries, while the vast majority of victims are civilians. Mine action in these communities helps make sure that “no one is left behind”, that no community is cut off from development. In Afghanistan, for example, UNMAS is working with local authorities to clear 17.4km sq. in Mes Aynak, a prerequisite for future multi-billion investments in the world’s second-largest copper deposit. The site could generate up to $400 million per year and 8,400 jobs.

At its best, mine action is thus a nexus of security, humanitarian action and development. This requires coordination and collaboration between a wide range of actors previously isolated in their own fields. The UNMAS office in Geneva plays a vital role in this effort, “triangulating” between the humanitarian and development actors in Geneva, UNMAS headquarters in New York City and mine action programmes in the field. Here in Geneva, UNMAS has benefited from the unparalleled concentration of public- and private-sector actors to forge productive partnerships. Since 2006, for example, UNMAS and Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining have convened a biennial “technology workshop” to facilitate the exchange of best practices and promote innovation in the sector.

This year, we are also celebrating the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Mine Action Convention. The campaign to ban landmines brought civil society and governments together, demonstrating the power of civil society to change the world. While fewer actors stockpile or use these weapons, conflicts continue to lead to casualties from landmines and explosive remnants of war. In 2015, fighting in Libya, Syria, Ukraine and Yemen led to a 10-year high in these casualties. As we continue to press for an end to these weapons, UNMAS will continue its life-saving work, helping to repair a broken world.

Thank you.