Arms control

The current crisis in and around Ukraine has led to large areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions being contaminated by deadly explosive remnants, including landmines. These pose a serious risk to human life, and are obstacles to social and economic development. Numerous explosive objects are still found in other regions across Ukraine, a legacy of the Second World War and Soviet-era military exercises and ammunition stockpiles.

In response to those challenges, the Project Co-ordinator helps to introduce policy regulations and mine action standards, ensuring a co-ordinated approach among all agencies involved. Additional efforts aim to build agencies’ institutional and technical capacity, especially in information management. To increase the safety of the people in crisis-affected areas, the Co-ordinator assists in ensuring dangerous areas are clearly marked, promotes mine risk education efforts and facilitates dialogue between local communities and demining actors on the issues.

Another set of challenges the country faces relates to the spread of illicit weapons, ammunition and explosives (WAE) across its borders and on its territory. The Co-ordinator helps to build the capacities of relevant Ukrainian authorities to respond, through the training of personnel, the provision of specialized equipment, enhancing co-ordination and the legal framework, and promoting international standards and good practices.