Safe Futures Start Here.
4 April 2025 - International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action.
On 8 December 2005, the General Assembly declared that 4 April of each year shall be observed as the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action.
The United Nations mine action community will commemorate the annual International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action on 4 April 2025 under the theme “Safe Futures Start Here”. The UN mine action community will bring attention to the progress made over the last year and the challenges that remain in countries around the world.
Mines, explosive remnants of war, and improvised explosive devices continue to cause death and injury, especially in situations of armed conflict. On average, one person is killed or injured by such explosive device every hour. Many children are among the victims. The use of improvised explosive devices has expanded, terrorizing civilians and threatening humanitarian actors and United Nations missions and personnel.
Building on the Pact of the Future, considering the condemnation of the devastating impact of armed conflict on all persons including persons with disabilities (Action 14) and seizing “on opportunities provided by new and emerging technologies to empower and advance equity for persons with disabilities, including through promoting the availability of assistive technologies” (Action 29), events and campaigns will focus on raising awareness about the needs of people around the world.
Secretary-General Message for the International Day of Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action
Read the Secretary General's Message for the International Day of Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action:
| Arabic | Chinese | English |
| French | Russian | Spanish |
Events at United Nations Headquarters
On 3 April 2025, Assistant Secretary-General for Rule of Law and Security Institutions, Mr. Alexandre Zouev, and two other UN officials will be guests at the Noon Briefing of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General.
On 4 April the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the United Nations will hold a roundtable discussion entitled “Saving Lives through Humanitarian Mine Action in Azerbaijan”. The briefing will be held in cooperation with the Center of Analysis of International Relations (AIR Center). Information about the event and to RSVP can be found in the agenda and concept note.
An exhibition dedicated to the humanitarian mine action in Azerbaijan organized by the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the United Nations will be on display from 24 March until 4 April 2025 in the General Assembly Building.
Events Around the World
Abyei
To capture the spirit of this year's theme, “Safe Futures Start Here", UNISFA engaged with a prominent cartoonist, Mr. Adija Acuil, who originates from Abyei. Mr. Adija facilitated a training where the five best artists were selected to draw seven murals on the UNISFA perimeter wall. Mr. Adija Acuil shared his knowledge and, more importantly, inspired the youth and people from Abyei through his art and generosity.
The inauguration of the murals was organized with guests from Abyei, including the Speaker of the Abyei Legislative Council, Dr. Yak Deng Ater; the Secretary General of the Abyei Administrative Area, Mr. John Ajang Kiir; the Paramount Chief, Dr. Bulabek Deng Kuol; mission leadership led by OIC FC/Acting HOM, Brigadier General Ameer Muhamad Umrani; as well as National Monitors from Sudan and South Sudan.
In his speech, OIC Ag HOM/FC read the message from the Secretary General, who stated: “Even when the guns fall silent, these remnants of war remain, lurking in fields and on pathways and roadways, threatening the lives of innocent civilians and the livelihoods of communities.”
Afghanistan
The Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority (ANDMA) and Directorate of Mine Action Coordination (DMAC) celebrated the International Day of Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action at the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul. In attendance was the Director DMAC, acting Minister ANDMA, UNAMA Chief of Mine Action, Environmental Protection Agency, AREA (Afghan demining NGO), Deputy Minister Public Health, and the Iranian deputy Head of Mission (Gholamreza Najjari).
The event discussed themes including the remaining contamination and casualties, funding issues, and the anticipated increase in returnees.
There was also a performance from a girls’ choir (attached), a play involving a child killed by explosive ordnance, and a speech from a landmine victim.
Central African Republic
Several activities were held in Bangui in commemoration of International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action.
1 April - MINUSCA, through UNMAS Central African Republic, in collaboration with local authorities and the National Focal Point for Mine Action, carried out a community awareness campaign in Bangui’s 7th district. Nearly 200 participants attended this activity aimed at informing populations most at risk from Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) and promoting lifesaving safety practices, particularly among youth. This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen local ownership, reduce risks, and promote lasting peace in the Central African Republic.
2 April - A special radio broadcast was aired on Radio Ndeke Luka FM and Guira FM in Bangui. This broadcast brought together Lieutenant-Colonel Edgar Ghazaka, the National Focal Point for Mine Action, representatives from OCHA, UNMAS, and the national NGO ARND, which has already been trained in Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE). Together, they provided an overview of the current threat, progress made to date, and the remaining challenges and highlighted the central role of local communities in reducing incidents associated with explosive remnants of war.
2 April - More than 30 students from the Master’s Programme in Humanitarian Action at the University of Bangui participated in a conference-debate organized by MINUSCA through UNMAS. Centered around this year’s theme, the event provided an opportunity to reflect on the major challenges posed by explosive ordnance in the Central African Republic and to present the role of UNMAS in mine action. UNMAS Chief of Operations, Bruno Bouchardy, took this opportunity to encourage students to actively engage in mine action, while sharing valuable insights and advice with this new generation full of potential.
3 April - a workshop was held in Bangui, bringing together over 15 survivors of incidents caused by explosive remnants of war. This gathering, centered on listening and support, provided victims with an opportunity to share their experiences, receive psychosocial assistance, and formulate concrete recommendations. The workshop was held in the presence of representatives from the Ministry of Humanitarian Action and National Reconciliation, WHO, MINUSCA, the international NGO Avocats Sans Frontières, as well as national psychologists and specialized counselors. The recommendations from these discussions were presented during the high-level roundtable held at the Cité des Chefs d’État on April 4th.
4 April - A high-level roundtable was held at the Cité des Chefs d’État in Bangui. Chaired by Mr. Aurélien Simplice Zingas, Minister of State for National Education, the event brought together several key ministries of the Central African Government, alongside representatives from MINUSCA, the diplomatic corps, international and national NGOs, and members of civil society. The roundtable provided an opportunity to review progress made, analyze ongoing challenges, and reaffirm the political will of the Central African Government in addressing mine action. On this occasion, authorities announced the acceleration of the process to establish the National Mine Action Authority (NMAA) and the allocation of adequate budgetary resources to ensure its operationalization.
Activities were also held in Bouar with a ceremony and workshop with local authorities.
Read stories from MINUSCA including how the destruction of 4,900 munitions and 11 explosive devices marks a crucial step for Central African Republic (in French) and an interview with Father Norberto Potsi (in French) who lost their foot in February 2023 due to a mine.
Colombia
Panel discussion
3 April 2025, 10am - 12pm
Auditorio Marino Troncoso, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá
Flyer (in Spanish)
Join us for a conversation on 'Humanitarian Demining and Territorial Transformation: Contributing to the Construction of Peace from the Territories' organised by the High Commissioner for Peace.
Lebanon
The Spanish blue helmets of the UNIFIL contingent in the Eastern Sector—led by Spain—continue their awareness-raising efforts through a series of educational conferences aimed at increasing knowledge of the management of unexploded ordnance (UXO). Learn more about this outreach initative that seeks to deepen the local community's understanding of the danger posed by various types of explosive devices that may be found in the region, while also providing essential guidance on how to react if such devices are found.
Learn more about recent unexploded ordnance clearance in Lebanon through this story from UNIFIL.
Nigeria
The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) and its partners commemorated the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action on 4 April 2025. In line with the UNMAS theme for this year “Safe Future Starts Here”, the activities engaged the main beneficiaries, cross section of local population as well as relevant national and international partners.
The event, which held in Maiduguri, Borno state also, brought together representatives of various government ministries and agencies including the National Mine Action Center (NMAC), Ministry of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (MRRR) as well as representatives of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).
Somalia
6 April 2025, 10am to 12pm
Tukul, UN Compound, Mogadishu, Somalia
We invite you to join us in this important commemoration with remarks from key UN and Somali officials and presentations on the ongoing efforts to strengthen Somali-led mine action capabilities.
You will have an opportunity to meet our wonderful explosive detection dogs and watch them go through their paces, as well as to familiarize yourself with the equipment and engage with technical experts to discuss all aspects of mine action in Somalia. Personnel from SNA and SPF will be present to participate in the interactive session for the EDD response Demo.
South Sudan
Compared to the 1,300 square kilometers of land already cleared of landmines, the remaining 22 square kilometers of land known to be contaminated by explosive hazards may not sound like much, but speakers at the event to celebrate International Mine Awareness Day warned that years of steady progress may be undone should South Sudan relapse back into war.
In the video below, learn more about our mine action efforts and achievements in South Sudan for the past 20 years.
Read more about the impact of demining in South Sudan from UN Peacekeeping and UNMISS.
Sudan
Mine action partners in Sudan are conducting a media campaign to raise awareness of the explosive ordnance risks.
Read the press release or watch the video produced by the Global Protection Cluster on YouTube.
Listen to the audio voicenoice created to share the important message about the risk of explosive ordnance:
Syria
Update on IMAD2025 Syria, read the Press Release from Damascus
This year, on the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action (April 4th), UNMAS Syria organized several activities in the country, under the global theme "Safe Futures Start Here."
This included:
- Event at UNMAS Office in Damascus: An event at UNMAS Damascus office to mark the day. Activities included EOD and EORE demos/displays, presentations from Victim Assistance (VA) implementing partners, and booths with risk education materials and partner displays. Deminers also conducted a clearance work demostration in the garden, and partners showcase VA materials and tools. UN agencies, NGOs, and donor representatives attended the event.
- Awareness Campaign: UNMAS sent awareness messages via SMS to all mobile users in Syria (Campaign started in April and will end on June)
- Field Visit to Darraya School for Girls: A joint UNMAS/UNICEF painting initiative focused on mine risk education, preceded by awareness sessions for approximately 300 students. The selected artwork was reproduced on a school wall with student participation."
In the video below, we proudly showcase the powerful artwork created by students at Darayya Girls’ School during the "Painting for Peace" activity. These young artists used their talent to raise awareness about the dangers of explosive ordnance—spreading life-saving messages through color, symbolism, and imagination!
United States of America
Mine Awareness Day: Exhibition and Reception
7 April 2025, 6pm - 8pm
Rayburn House Office Building, 45 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20515
RSVP: https://forms.office.com/e/u7BDTxzQMN
You are cordially invited to join the bipartisan Congressional Unexploded Ordnance/Demining Caucus for an exhibition and reception to celebrate International Mine Awareness Day, and to acknowledge the United States' historical commitment to Conventional Weapons Destruction.
Join us for an evening with refreshments, interactive exhibits from leading demining organizations, cutting edge technology from the Department of Defense (including Spot the robot dog), and demonstrations from live demining dogs and rats. Hear from Members of Congress (including Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Chrissy Houlahan and David Valadao, and HFAC Chairman Brian Mast), Administration representatives, and Ambassadors about the modern field of humanitarian demining and how the United States is saving lives and strengthening security around the world.
Territory of Western Sahara
The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) working as part of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) held a commemorative event, celebrating the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action on 4 April at the MINURSO HQ Compound in Laayoune.
Themed "Safe Futures Start Here – Ban Stigma – Take Action", the event included speeches by MINURSO Force Commander, highlighting the ongoing threat of landmines and unexploded ordnance in the region. Decades of conflict have left Western Sahara heavily contaminated.
