Azerbaijan Seeks Global Support To Achieve Landmine-free Future

By Suraidah Roslan & Ahmad Idzwan Arzmi

KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 (Bernama) -- Azerbaijan calls on the international community to provide political support, financial assistance and technical expertise to help the country achieve a landmine-free future.

Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Malaysia, Irfan Davudov, said he hopes to see other countries, including Malaysia, support their initiative to be recognised globally under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

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“We expect the Malaysian government to make a decision on this issue. I believe that financial or technical assistance from Malaysia would be highly appreciated,” he told Bernama after the International Seminar Towards a landmine-free world-case of Azerbaijan, here on Monday.

He said the Mine Action Agency of Azerbaijan (ANAMA) plays an important role in the demining process in Azerbaijan, which is expected to take about 20 years and will require around US$25 billion to finance.

Although the demining process will take a considerable amount of time, he is confident that it can be achieved with the support of other countries.

Chair of the Steering Committee of the ASEAN Regional Mine Action Centre (ARMAC), Shaharuddin Onn, said that ARMAC reaffirms its commitment to collaborating with Azerbaijan on the international stage, as ARMAC contributes to the global humanitarian mine action dialogue.

Shaharuddin, who is also the Ambassador of Malaysia to Cambodia, said that ARMAC hosted the Azerbaijan Mine Action Authority (ANAMA) in 2024 to showcase ASEAN’s model for inter-agency coordination in assisting victims and rehabilitation approaches for landmine contamination.

“This cooperation reflects the shared commitment between ARMAC and ANAMA. The partnership is tailored, collaborative, and based on cyber-focused solutions. In fact, I see today’s seminar as part of that growing bridge in our cooperation.

“I speak for ARMAC that we reaffirm our commitment to a stronger partnership, inclusive of the victim assistance. I believe that together we can and must clear the path towards achieving SDG 16, towards peace and towards a mine-free future,” he added.

SDG 16 refers to Sustainable Development Goal 16 of the United Nations' 2030 Agenda, with key focus areas including peace and non-violence, access to justice, and protection of fundamental freedoms.

-- BERNAMA