The United Nations Development Program Libya was proud to collaborate on an International Conference on Demining for Development, entitled Together for Libya Free of Mines, which was held in Tripoli on the 3rd-4th November. The conference brought together landmine specialists from around the globe to share their insights on the issue and to work towards a solution for Libya’s landmine problems.

The conference was held under the auspices of Mr Saif Alislam Moamar AlGaddafi, Chief of the Gaddafi International Foundation in association with the Anti-Mining Association and was attended by UNDP, the National Demining Program, a number of specialist associations, mine experts and mine victims

Brian Gleeson, UNDP Libya resident representative, highlighted just how pressing the issues discussed at the conference are. He emphasized that Libya is possibly one of the worst affected countries in the world. It is reported that Libya has over 10million landmines in the world. This figure is staggering, particularly when one considers that only 1% of Libyan territory is arable land. Attempts to reclaim any more land are fraught with risk.  Statistics alone, however, cannot capture the issue in its entirety. Brian Gleeson reminded attendees that “we must all be aware of the catastrophic effects that mines can have on their victims…for it is through this knowledge that we can humanize the terrible statistics that we encounter.”

To this end the conference members explored the destructive physical and psychological effects of mines. A number of specialists gave presentations on the damage inflicted on the environment and economy as huge tracts of land are rendered unusable for agriculture, grazing or industry.

Amongst the experts contributing to the event was Sara Sekkenes, Senior Programme Advisor to UNDP and Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery. She confirmed UNDP’s mandate on institutional support, capacity building and strategic planning for mine action.

The conference also looked towards workable solutions to the damage caused by mines. Members shared their expertise in the fields of mine removal and mine-victim rehabilitation at workshops held alongside the conference. Above all, Brian Gleeson announced UNDP Libya’s pressing aim to “turn a Libyan problem into a Libyan solution that will be a showcase for the region to follow.”

A number of concrete recommendations emerged from the two-day meeting.  UNDP, the Anti-Mining Association and the National Demining Programme intend to set up a National Data Centre to collect information and statistics regarding mines and mine victims. The conference members called for the creation of an international standards supervisory unit to supervise demining operations, as well as the establishment of a training centre to train local technicians on demining.

Appeals were made to the international community to contribute more effectively to demining programs and to invest more in demining research.  Moreover, those countries responsible for burying mines were called upon to provide detailed and complete maps for mine affected areas and to accept full financial and ethical responsibility towards mine victims.

UNDP Libya was asked to arrange a meeting for all affected parties to discuss and support a work plan to ensure the availability of mine maps and information on mine types. It was also requested that UNDP provide technical, technological and financial support to the project.

The collaboration displayed throughout the International Conference on Demining Development is set to continue. The attendees pledged to establish stable co-operative links between NGOs, associations and mine victims, as a means of exchanging expertise and information on tackling the complex challenge posed by mines.

Local associations such as the Anti-Mining Association, National Demining Programme, National Centre for Remote Sensing and Space Science and Libyan Military Research Centre were called upon to unite in their efforts to support demining, technicians training and victim rehabilitation.

UNDP Libya considers the co-operation exemplified by this recent conference to be fundamental in alleviating the devastation caused by mines in the country. The present landmine situation poses a grave threat, not least to countless civilians, but also to the economic future of the Great Libyan Arab Jamahiriya.  For this reason, Brian Gleeson declared that this conference marked a “giant step forward in turning the tide in favour of development”.