Insights from the 31st SEEMACC Meeting

The 31st South East Europe Mine Action Coordination Council (SEEMACC) meeting took place on December 20th, 2023, in Ljubljana, Slovenia. SEEMACC, an integral part of ITF activities, emphasized the importance of a regional approach for effective mine clearance. Representatives from Mine Action Centers across South East Europe, including Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia Herzegovina, North Macedonia, and the Mine Detection Dog Center in Bosnia Herzegovina, attended the meeting.

During the session, representatives shared their achievements in 2023 and outlined plans for 2024, demonstrating their ongoing commitment to achieving a mine-free status. The Protection and Rescue Directorate of the Republic of North Macedonia presented ongoing projects and highlighted areas requiring further action in 2024, particularly focusing on detecting unexploded ordnance and remnants of wars within the country's territory.

Discussions also addressed the potential formation of a SEEMACC expert group, which aims to provide recommendations and technical assistance for removing remaining missiles and bombs in South East Europe, with a specific focus on North Macedonia. The meeting highlighted the collective effort towards enhancing mine clearance initiatives in the region, emphasizing the importance of cooperation and partnership in achieving shared objectives.