BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 4. In the aftermath of
the conflict, 383 of our citizens have lost their lives or suffered
injuries due to mine explosions, and overall, the number of
landmine victims in Azerbaijan stands at nearly 4,000, said Elnur
Baghirli, Director of the Project Management Department of the
State Support Agency for Non-Governmental Organizations,Trend reports.
In his address at a symposium commemorating International Mine
Awareness and Mine Action Assistance Day, aptly named “Mine-Free
World—Civil Society Initiatives,” Bagirli underscored the ongoing
extensive demining initiatives in the nation’s recently liberated
zones.
He underscored that Azerbaijan has prioritized the advancement of
the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) associated with the
establishment of a mine-free ecosystem.
“The agency has allocated 355,500 manat ($209,117) in financial
support to 24 projects from 2021 to 2024. Additionally, an
international forum titled ‘A Healthy Environment and a Mine-Free
Life: Advancing Sustainable Development Goals’ was held.
Azerbaijan has highlighted the issue of landmines as the 18th
goal of the Sustainable Development Goals. The contamination of
Azerbaijani territory with over 1 million mines, the lack of
international support for the mine clearance process, Armenia’s
refusal to provide mine maps, and other similar challenges were key
factors driving Azerbaijan to take this crucial step,” Baghirli
added.
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