Geneva mine action conference focuses on war remnants, recovery efforts in Syria

Syrian officials and international partners discussed efforts to expand mine-clearance operations and tackle contamination from unexploded ordnance across Syria at a conference in Geneva on Tuesday, describing the issue as a major obstacle to recovery and reconstruction.

The event, chaired by Syrian Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management Raed al-Saleh, brought together Syrian officials, international organizations and donor representatives to discuss the scale of contamination from landmines and explosive remnants of war, their impact on civilians and the challenges they pose to recovery and reconstruction efforts.

Participants reviewed national priorities for mine action, including expanding survey and clearance operations, increasing public awareness of mine risks and strengthening protection for communities affected by the conflict.

Discussions also examined the link between mine clearance and economic recovery, particularly in agriculture, with participants stressing the importance of restoring access to farmland and grazing areas to support food production and livelihoods.

The conference addressed emergency preparedness for incidents involving explosive ordnance and explored ways to improve coordination among national institutions and international partners involved in mine action activities.

Speaking to SANA, al-Saleh described landmines and unexploded ordnance as one of the most significant challenges facing Syria’s recovery efforts, citing their impact on civilian safety, population returns and the resumption of economic activity.

He said mine clearance remains a national priority and called for stronger international cooperation to support survey, clearance and risk-awareness programs.

Fadi al-Saleh, director of the Syrian National Mine Action Center, said the conference provided an opportunity to present the extent of mine contamination in Syria and discuss the operational challenges facing national clearance teams.

He said the center is implementing a national plan to prioritize the most affected areas and direct resources toward protecting civilians, facilitating the safe return of displaced residents and improving local living conditions.

The conference, which opened on Monday, is being held in partnership with the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) and is supported by the European Union, Germany and Switzerland.