Ukraine’s mine action programme is moving from emergency response toward longer‑term recovery. This transition requires clarity of roles, coherent regulation and operational approaches that reflect both the scale and complexity of contamination.

In May 2025, Global Clearance Solutions (GCS) contributed industry expertise to the Ukraine Mine Action Strategy workshop held in Kyiv, convened by the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) and the national coordination platform Demine Ukraine.

Operational perspective from commercial mine action

GCS was represented by Philip Jowett, Technical Development and Capability Manager, who shared operational insights drawn from GCS’s experience as one of the first commercially accredited demining companies operating in Ukraine. This perspective informed discussions across the full range of topics addressed by the workshop, including governance, coordination, operational constraints and future capacity requirements.

Reflecting on the discussions, Jowett highlighted the strategic importance of the moment for Ukraine’s mine action programme:

“The workshop was an opportunity to realign priorities, identify systemic constraints and propose collaborative, forward‑looking solutions. With significant risks still present, greater institutional clarity, regulatory reform, strategic leadership and operational innovation are required to move from crisis response to sustainable recovery.”

From workshop outcomes to national policy

The workshop formed part of a structured review of Ukraine’s mine action framework and directly contributes to the mid‑cycle revision of the Ukraine Mine Action Strategy 2024–2026. Participants examined how national coordination, accreditation, funding mechanisms and operational delivery can be strengthened to ensure accountability and effectiveness as clearance activities continue at scale.

“The findings and recommendations of this workshop will inform the next phase of the national strategy and help establish a more robust, context‑responsive mine action framework,” Jowett added.

Supporting sustainable mine action capacity

By contributing operational and technical expertise to strategic planning processes, GCS supports the development of mine action systems that are not only effective in the field, but also sustainable over time. Engagement at this level ensures that commercial operators, national authorities and international partners work from a shared understanding of requirements and constraints.

GCS welcomes the role of the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, GICHD and Demine Ukraine in facilitating dialogue between policy, operational and industry stakeholders, and continues to support efforts to align mine action strategy with Ukraine’s long‑term recovery objectives.

(Photo credits: Demine Ukraine)