OSCE PA President Urges Global Support for Mine Clearance
BAKU, Azerbaijan — Pere Joan Pons Sampietro, president of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA), has called for increased international support for Azerbaijan's demining efforts. Speaking during an exclusive interview in Baku on Tuesday, September 3, Sampietro emphasized that the Republic requires greater access to international expertise, technology, and donor funding to continue its clearance operations effectively and address the extensive contamination.
The visit took place as the country hosted the ANAMA conference, a significant gathering focused on mine action. Sampietro used this platform to highlight the critical scale of the contamination problem, noting that landmines and unexploded ordnance remain a tragic, long-term consequence of past conflicts. He stated that these dangerous remnants require immediate and sustained international attention to mitigate the severe humanitarian crisis they pose to the affected populations.
According to the OSCE PA president, the widespread mine and explosive-remnant contamination continues to represent a serious humanitarian and development challenge for Azerbaijan. Sampietro noted that the issue extends beyond the technical aspects of clearance, encompassing broader societal needs. These include ensuring the safety of civilians, facilitating the safe return of displaced populations to their homes, enabling comprehensive reconstruction efforts in affected areas, and restoring sustainable livelihoods for communities impacted by the conflict. Each of these elements, he stressed, is fundamental to the nation's progress.
Rebuilding Lives: Demining as a Foundation for Recovery
Sampietro stressed that the successful and swift execution of demining operations is crucial for enabling these essential returns and large-scale reconstruction projects. He argued that all these factors—civilian safety, population returns, and infrastructure rebuilding—are indispensable for fostering robust economic development across the region. The president indicated that without adequate and sustained international support, the pace of recovery and rehabilitation could be significantly hindered by the persistent and deadly threat posed by unexploded ordnance, which restricts access to vital land and resources.
Restoring Stability and Economic Potential
The president’s remarks underscored the interconnected nature of safety and development. He noted that clearing land is not merely a logistical or technical task but a fundamental prerequisite for restoring normalcy and stability to affected communities. The continued presence of explosive remnants severely restricts access to critical agricultural land, impedes the development and repair of essential infrastructure, and prevents the safe use of residential areas. This widespread restriction directly obstructs broader economic goals, including agricultural productivity, trade routes, and the establishment of new businesses, thereby stifling the region's full economic potential.
The humanitarian impact is profound, as communities cannot rebuild or thrive under the constant threat of detonation. Children cannot play safely, farmers cannot cultivate their fields, and families cannot return to their ancestral homes without the assurance that the land is free from explosive hazards. This creates a cycle of displacement and economic stagnation that only comprehensive demining can break.
International Cooperation: An Indispensable Element
The OSCE PA president stressed the indispensability of international cooperation in addressing Azerbaijan's demining challenges. He asserted that Azerbaijan should be able to draw more extensively on international expertise, advanced technology, and donor support as clearance and reconstruction efforts continue. This global partnership is vital not only for providing the necessary resources but also for sharing best practices and innovative solutions in mine action. Sampietro described the Assembly as an important partner in this critical effort, though specific details regarding the Assembly's direct operational role were not fully elaborated in the interview, emphasizing its advocacy and facilitative capacity.
International collaboration ensures that Azerbaijan benefits from global experience in managing complex demining operations, which can accelerate the process and enhance its safety and efficiency. This includes access to cutting-edge detection and clearance technologies, specialized training for local personnel, and financial contributions that can sustain long-term, large-scale operations beyond what domestic capabilities alone might support.
Sustained Global Attention for Post-Conflict Remediation
Sampietro highlighted that the ANAMA conference demonstrated clearly that demining is not simply a technical issue, but a multifaceted challenge with profound humanitarian, social, and economic dimensions. The event served as a crucial focal point for discussing these complex challenges associated with post-conflict clearance. By framing the issue in terms of civilian safety, the restoration of livelihoods, and national development, the OSCE PA president sought to elevate the profile of Azerbaijan’s urgent needs on the global stage, appealing to the conscience and strategic interests of international partners.
The call for increased donor support aligns with broader international efforts to address the enduring legacy of conflict in the South Caucasus region. Sampietro’s statements reflect a view that external resources are necessary to supplement domestic capabilities, ensuring that the scale of the problem can be met with an equally robust response. He did not specify exact monetary figures or timelines for the requested support, but emphasized the critical urgency of the situation, underscoring that delays in demining translate directly into continued human suffering and hindered development.
The president’s visit to Baku coincides with ongoing discussions about the long-term implications of past conflicts. The widespread contamination of land by mines and explosive remnants is viewed as a persistent and formidable barrier to full economic integration, regional stability, and social cohesion. Sampietro’s intervention aims to mobilize further resources and sustained commitment from the international community to assist Azerbaijan in mitigating these pervasive risks and rebuilding a secure future for its citizens.
As clearance operations proceed, the reliance on foreign technology and expertise remains a key component of the strategy outlined by the OSCE PA leadership. The president’s comments serve as a formal and urgent appeal for continued engagement and robust support from global partners who have historically supported mine action initiatives worldwide, emphasizing that collective action is the most effective path forward.