ITF at NDMUN28
From April 8 to 11, 2025, ITF participated in the 28th Meeting of National Mine Action Directors and United Nations Advisers (NDMUN28), held in Geneva, Switzerland. Organized by the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) and the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), the event brought together representatives from national authorities, international organizations, donors, and implementing partners.
Over four days of panels, discussions, and meetings one message stood out: investing in mine action is investing in safety, dignity, and the foundations of recovery. Mine action enables people to return home, reclaim land, and rebuild livelihoods - key steps toward recovery in communities affected by conflict and explosive ordnance.
A central theme of this year’s meeting was localization. Effective mine action must be driven by local needs, shaped by national leadership, and built on context-specific approaches. Localization means not only working in communities, but working with them - supporting national authorities, empowering local actors, and aligning interventions with local priorities. It also relies on access to accurate, timely data that reflects both the extent of contamination and the needs of affected populations, enabling targeted, efficient, and meaningful action.
Discussions also touched on the importance of taking a more comprehensive view of mine action - one that includes victim assistance, risk education, and community resilience alongside clearance. The need for more innovative and flexible funding approaches was raised as essential to closing existing gaps and ensuring lasting impact.
Beyond the formal sessions, NDMUN28 offered an important opportunity for bilateral meetings with partners and stakeholders. With so many key actors gathered in one place, the conference provided space to exchange updates, strengthen cooperation, and explore new areas of partnersip within the sector.
ITF thanks GICHD and UNMAS for bringing the global mine action community together once again to share knowledge, build partnerships, and reaffirm a joint commitment to a safer, mine-free future.