According to Chris Loughran and Camille Wallen, demining is even more beneficial when it is connected to sustainable agriculture and energy security, even in the midst of a conflict.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the country has become one of the most heavily mined areas in the world, with an estimated 25% of the land contaminated with mines – an area four times the size of Switzerland.
The report, titled “Enhancing Mine Action Finance in Ukraine,” explores new financing solutions to help Ukraine’s national mine action strategy and address the massive demining challenge facing the country. It was commissioned by UNDP at the request of Ukraine’s economic ministry and examines specific models that could be implemented.
UNDP states that the Ukrainian government has been dealing with the risks of unexploded ordnance since the First and Second World Wars, but the current full-scale war presents a new level of complexity. According to Alexander Lobov, a mine action expert with UNDP, 30 to 50% of unexploded ordnance typically fails to detonate, leaving the rest active and potentially causing an explosion with any physical impact. Paul Heslop, Chief Technical Advisor for the UNDP Mine Action Programme in Ukraine, notes that the invasion in Ukraine is particularly dangerous and demanding, with a frontline spanning over a thousand kilometers.
UNDP’s report highlights two key solutions to Ukraine’s demining challenge. The first is a Sustainability-Linked Bond (SLB), which aims to combine mine action efforts with Ukraine’s transition to sustainable agriculture, specifically through organic winter wheat production and “no till” farming practices. The second solution, known as Outcome-Based Public-Private Partnership (OB-PPP), integrates mine clearance with solar energy development.
By involving the private sector, these proposed models strive to meet Ukraine’s strategic needs in mine action, energy, and agriculture while also promoting economic recovery. “UNDP is dedicated to promoting innovative solutions that address immediate needs while advancing Ukraine’s long-term sustainability goals,” said Jaco Cilliers, UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine. “By aligning mine action with sustainable agriculture and renewable energy, we can help drive economic recovery and resilience in Ukraine,” he added.
As Ukraine continues to navigate the complexities of recovery and development, these innovative financing approaches are a significant step towards a safer and more sustainable future.