The Ukrainian Mine Action Conference (UMAC2024) will be held in Lausanne, Switzerland, on October 17–18.
UMAC2024 will bring together high-level officials and representatives from international organizations, the private sector and academia.
Switzerland will be represented by the President of the Swiss Confederation, Viola Amherd, who will open the conference, and the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Ignazio Cassis.
"The event, which Switzerland is co-organizing with Ukraine, will focus on global aspects of humanitarian demining, in particular emphasizing the three pillars: people, partners, and progress."
The aim of UMAC2024 is to discuss the role of mine action and technological innovation.
An estimated quarter of Ukraine's territory is contaminated by mines and other unexploded ordnance.
In 2023, the Swiss government approved a four-year aid package of 100 million Swiss francs (US$118 million) dedicated exclusively to humanitarian demining in Ukraine.
Switzerland also supports an aid programme for mine victims and small farmers who are unable to cultivate their fields.