New York:Azerbaijan is urging international support for its humanitarian demining initiatives, as over 13 percent of its territory is contaminated by landmines and other explosive remnants of war. Shahriyar Hajiyev, First Secretary of the Permanent Mission of Azerbaijan to the United Nations, highlighted this issue during an Interactive Dialogue at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, Hajiyev stated that only 24.3 percent of the contaminated areas have been cleared. Since 2020, mine incidents have resulted in over 400 Azerbaijani casualties, including women and children, underscoring the urgent need for demining efforts.
Hajiyev emphasized that reconstruction after the armed conflict and occupation, which caused widespread destruction, is a national priority. Azerbaijan has allocated more than USD 16 billion for rebuilding cities, towns, and villages, and through the Great Return Program, nearly 100,000 people have been resettled in newly constructed communities across 48 residential areas.
He stressed that the threat of landmines highlights the necessity for accountability and international assistance in humanitarian demining, which is vital for restoring the human rights of internally displaced persons (IDPs). Landmine clearance is seen as a prerequisite for restoring livelihoods, achieving economic recovery, and providing durable solutions.
Azerbaijan remains committed to creating an environment conducive to the full realization of IDP human rights and is willing to share its best practices and experiences in post-conflict recovery and reconstruction.