Emergency and Disaster Management Minister Raed al-Saleh met with Kazumi Ogawa, Director of the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), and Joseph McCartan, Head of the UNMAS Syria Programme, to discuss ways to develop joint cooperation in mine action, during a meeting held at the Ministry building in Damascus.
Review of national efforts
Minister al-Saleh outlined the efforts made to prepare Syria’s National Strategic Plan for Mine Action, emphasizing the importance of enhancing coordination and data exchange to support Syrian state priorities and consolidate the role of the National Mine Action Centre as the national authority leading this file.
Supporting technical capacities
The meeting addressed the role of the UN department in supporting national capacities and building technical expertise, and developing the mine action and war remnants management system, while stressing the need to align international efforts with national needs and priorities. This contributes to protecting civilians, enhancing the safety of local communities, and supporting recovery and reconstruction efforts in Syria.
Context of international cooperation
Raed Hassoun, Director of the National Mine Action Centre, attended the meeting. The Emergency Minister had previously discussed on September 8 with a European Union delegation, led by Hans Das, Deputy Director-General of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, prospects for cooperation in emergency response, disaster risk reduction, and strengthening national capacities in mine action.
Syria and Ukraine also signed a high-level cooperation agreement on humanitarian mine clearance on the 20th of the same month, reflecting a move towards strengthening international partnerships in this vital field.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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