Azerbaijan tops in world on spending funds for combating landmines

Global support for mine action amounted to US$1.03 bln, Azernews reports, citing the chairman of the Azerbaijan Campaign Against Mines public association as he said at the review conference of the Azerbaijan Campaign Against Mines public association.

He said that this is the first time that the annual funding for demining has exceeded one billion, and this is due to the increased financial assistance to Ukraine.

"The 20 mine-affected countries have contributed a total of US$227.3 million to their national mine action programs, representing 22% of global funding. The report states that national non-governmental organizations dealing with mine issues have received direct international less than 1% of aid is allocated. Only 6% of international support for mine action goes to victim assistance programs."

The chairman noted that the report, referring to the report prepared by our organization and based on the information received from other countries, shows that the Republic of Azerbaijan ranks first in the amount of national funds spent on combating mines.

"The Republic of Azerbaijan has not joined the Convention on the prohibition of landmines. It is reported that it supports the goals of this Convention, including the complete banning of landmines, but it cannot join this Convention since none of the surrounding countries are members of this Convention and the current situation in the region. Azerbaijan has expressed its support for this Convention, since 2005, Azerbaijan has been voting in favour of the resolutions aimed at the universalization of this Convention in the country carries out mine clearance, education programs on mine danger are continued," he said.