ICBL-CMC Universalization Mission to Armenia and Azerbaijan

In May 2024, the ICBL-CMC undertook a universalization outreach mission to Armenia and Azerbaijan, to engage in a dialog on the Mine Ban Treaty and the Convention on Cluster Munitions.

As part of the outreach, the ICBL-CMC representative met with relevant national authorities and other partners in both countries.

In Azerbaijan discussions were held with the Office of the President, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and with ANAMA – the Mine Action Agency of Azerbaijan. The ICBL-CMC also participated in and contributed to the 3rd International Conference on Mine Action, "Mitigating Environmental Impact of Landmines: Resource Mobilization for Safe and Green Future" organized by the Mine Action Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ANAMA) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Baku at the end of May.

In Armenia the ICBL-CMC met with the leadership of the Center for Humanitarian Demining Excellence, as well as non-governmental partners. Despite repeated requests for meetings with Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defense, these meetings were not granted.

Both Armenia and Azerbaijan are contaminated by mines and cluster sub-munitions from previous and most recent conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh.

Officials of both countries stated that while neither Armenia nor Azerbaijan were in a position to join any of the conventions at the moment, both countries are engaged in clearance of contamination, risk education and victim assistance. Both countries have the aspiration to clear all mines, cluster submunition remnants and ERW from their territories.

The ICBL-CMC continues to urge both Armenia and Azerbaijan to join the Mine Ban Treaty and the Convention on Cluster Munitions without further delay, as the only comprehensive way to ensure Armenia and Azerbaijan free of mines and cluster munitions, once and for all.

For more details:
Armenia Country Profile
Azerbaijan Country Profile