Why mine action is essential for Belgium - and how our country supports Ukraine

Belgium will chair the 24^th Meeting of the States Parties to the Ottawa Convention on anti-personnel mines and is also helping to organise the 4th Ukraine Mine Action Conference in Brussels this autumn. Because mine action remains a moral, humanitarian, and security priority for Belgium.

Anti-personnel mines and unexploded ordnance continue to pose a major threat long after a conflict has ended. They claim victims for years, render entire areas unsafe, and obstruct the reconstruction of countries. Any potential military advantages of anti-personnel mines are far outweighed by the severe human suffering they cause.

Belgium therefore remains firmly committed to combating the use of anti-personnel mines. Today, this commitment is particularly evident in the context of the war in Ukraine.
 

Belgium and the fight against mines

For years, Belgium has played a leading role in the international effort against anti-personnel mines. Our country was one of the initiators of the 1997 Ottawa Convention, which prohibits the use, production, stockpiling, and transfer of anti-personnel mines. Belgium actively promotes compliance with this treaty and is preparing to assume the chairmanship of the 24th Meeting of the States Parties to the Convention (2026–2027).

This chairmanship brings both responsibility and international recognition. Belgium will (1) oversee implementation of the treaty, (2) support mine-affected countries, and (3) strengthen international cooperation. At the same time, it will encourage other states to join the treaty.

This commitment is especially important at a time when international humanitarian law is under pressure and some countries are questioning the ban on anti-personnel mines. The forthcoming chairmanship offers Belgium a unique opportunity to further strengthen its leadership at a moment when such engagement is urgently needed worldwide.

Ukraine: heavily affected by mines

Since the large-scale Russian invasion in 2022, Ukraine has become one of the countries most affected by mines and explosive remnants of war. This contamination poses a serious threat to civilians and aid workers.

The consequences extend far beyond immediate safety concerns. Mines have a major impact on food security, economic development, access to education, and healthcare, as well as on the environment and biodiversity. The humanitarian cost is enormous.

That is why Belgium supports Ukraine not only in military and humanitarian terms, but also specifically in the field of mine action. In practical terms, Belgium provides financial and substantive support to various international programmes. For example, Belgium supports the Mine Action Project through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), contributing to the work of the Ukrainian Center for Humanitarian Demining.

Moreover, Belgium supports a project by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), aimed at strengthening the capacity of national authorities, with particular attention to environmental restoration in mine-affected areas.

Belgium also provides support to the joint project of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP). This initiative helps clear agricultural land of mines, repair soil quality, and restart farming activities for small-scale farmers. Mine action in this context helps restore incomes, secure the food supply, and boost the economic resilience of Ukraine, with broader implications for global food security.

In addition, Belgium pledged a further €23 million of support through NATO’s Ukraine Comprehensive Assistance Package in late 2025. These funds are allocated to demining equipment and specialised training. They also help strengthen the capabilities of Ukrainian security services, including in underwater demining and the use of technical survey dogs capable of detecting mines.

Belgium’s Ministry of Defence and the Flemish government are also actively contributing to mine action efforts in Ukraine. In November 2026, Ukraine and the European Commission — in partnership with Belgium — will organise the 4th Ukraine Mine Action Conference in Brussels.
 

Why mine action matters for Belgium

Mine action goes beyond a humanitarian obligation; it contributes directly to stability and security in Europe. Ukraine is geographically and economically close. A safe and stable Ukraine means a safer Europe, and therefore a safer Belgium.

This commitment also aligns closely with the core values of Belgian foreign policy, namely the protection of civilians, respect for international law, solidarity with affected countries, and sustainable reconstruction.

Mine action saves lives. It restores farmland to productive use, allows children to attend school safely, and helps societies to recover after a conflict. Belgium will continue to play a leading role, through international treaties and tangible support to Ukraine and other affected countries worldwide.