Read the Full 2025 Report of the Secretary-General on Assistance in Mine Action (A/80/272)
(Available in the 6 official UN languages)
The 2025 Report of the Secretary-General on Assistance in Mine Action (A/80/272) was submitted pursuant to General Assembly resolution 78/70, covering the period from August 2023 to July 2025 and reflects inputs from all UNMAS programmes and IACG-MA entities. It outlines the global state of mine action, the implementation of the UN Mine Action Strategy and key observations and recommendations.
The report highlights the growing threat of explosive ordnance, noting that at least 58 States and territories are contaminated by anti-personnel mines, 29 by cluster munition remnants and more than 60 by IEDs. This widespread contamination continues to endanger millions of civilians, particularly in conflict zones such as Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, Syria and Myanmar.
The report also notes the severe humanitarian impact of explosive ordnance contamination. In Ukraine, approximately 10% of the world’s most fertile agricultural land is now unusable due to EO contamination, threatening both civilian safety and global food security. In Afghanistan, over three million people across 1,700 communities live alongside deadly explosive remnants, with children suffering the highest casualty rates. Urban contamination, particularly in Gaza, Sudan and the DRC, presents long-term risks to civilians and infrastructure due to the interconnected nature of urban services.
The report raises concern over the declining funding for mine action despite the growing need. It notes that voluntary contributions to the UN Trust Fund for Mine Action have dropped from $125 million to $46 million over the past seven years. Numerous NGOs were also forced to close programmes and lay off thousands of staff, most of whom are nationals of affected countries. This trend undermines the sustainability and effectiveness of mine action efforts globally.
The report also highlights growing challenges to the international legal framework for humanitarian disarmament. Several States have announced or undertaken withdrawals from key treaties, including Lithuania’s withdrawal from CCM and the announced intentions of Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Finland and Poland to withdraw APMBC, citing national security concerns.
Mine Action as a Key Enabler of United Nations System-Wide Work
Structured around the updated UN Mine Action Strategy (effective from January 2024), the report outlines five strategic pillars: protection from explosive ordnance risks; support for victims and survivors; strengthening national mine action capacities; and promoting gender equality, diversity and inclusion.
The report specifically notes the enabling role of mine action, supporting reconstruction, agricultural recovery and restoring access to land and resources critical for community resilience. It highlights how mine action creates safe conditions for development interventions, leading to access to education, health care, water and livelihoods, particularly in remote and underserved areas, contributing to Agenda 2030. The report also stresses the importance of mainstreaming mine action across humanitarian, development and peacebuilding sectors.
The report details achievements in each area, including clearance operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and Gaza; risk education campaigns in Yemen, Colombia and OPT; and victim assistance programmes in Syria, Nigeria and Vietnam. It also highlights efforts to integrate mine action into broader recovery and development initiatives, such as agricultural revitalization in Ukraine and climate-resilient infrastructure in Vietnam.