My interest in Azerbaijan began when a Korean archaeological team, in collaboration with archaeologists from the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, conducted excavation work in Gabala in 2009. These excavations took place primarily at the site of the ancient city of Gabala, which was the capital of Caucasian Albania for eight centuries.
Around 1,500 priceless artifacts were unearthed, revealing new insights into Gabala's history. Notably, many of the excavated items—such as glassware, ornaments, beads, and pottery—bore striking similarities to antiquities from Gyeongju, the ancient capital of the Silla Dynasty (57 BC to 935 AD).
Just as these archaeological discoveries in Gabala connect the ancient past to present-day cultures, the legacy of more recent conflicts, such as the Korean War, continues to shape modern landscapes and societies.
Although more than seven decades have passed since the Korean War (1950–1953), concerns about mines in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) still persist. This enduring issue underscores the long-term nature of mine contamination and highlights the importance of sustained demining efforts.
Mines and unexploded ordnance not only pose a direct threat to human safety but also create long-term barriers to economic and social development. They cause environmental degradation, damage cultural sites, and slow down recovery initiatives, thus impeding nations' progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals long after conflicts have ended.
Furthermore, mine explosions jeopardize human lives and significantly harm the environment. The plastic waste from these explosions negatively impacts soil structure, while unearthed mines can lead to hazardous chemical reactions. Additionally, soil rendered unusable due to mine threats suffers from erosion and degradation.
The Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, widely known as the 1954 Hague Convention, is a multilateral treaty adopted to protect cultural property in times of peace and during armed conflicts. This context underscores the importance of a recent conference ahead of the 29th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which Azerbaijan will host in Baku on November 24, 2024. Azerbaijan adopted The Hague Convention initiative during a meeting in Paris in December 2023.
Prior to this, the traditional international Humanitarian Demining Conference, themed “Mitigating Environmental Impact of Landmines: Resource Mobilization for a Safe and Green Future,” was held in Baku on May 30, 2024. This conference was jointly organized by the Azerbaijan Republic Agency for Mine Action and the United Nations Development Programme.
This conference aimed to address the problem of mines and their consequences, including the environmental impact, and to facilitate the exchange of advanced experience in mine action. The experiences and lessons learned in Azerbaijan can provide valuable insights and strategies for other countries grappling with the legacy of landmines and unexploded ordnance in conflict and post-conflict settings.
Currently, Azerbaijan is one of the most mine-polluted countries in the world, with an estimated 12 percent of its territory contaminated by approximately 1.5 million mines and numerous unexploded ordnances. Since the conflict with Armenia ended in 2020, reportedly 361 Azerbaijani citizens, mostly civilians, have fallen victim to mine explosions, resulting in 68 deaths and 293 severe injuries. Overall, approximately 3,400 Azerbaijani citizens, including 358 children and 38 women, have been affected by mines.
The demining challenges also impede development and recovery efforts, creating serious obstacles for the return of 800,000 formerly displaced persons from the then occupied territories. Humanitarian demining is a top priority for Azerbaijan. The Mine Action Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan leads these efforts. So far, approximately 140,000 hectares have been cleared of 119,946 mines and unexploded ordnances. However, much work remains as mined areas extend far beyond what has been cleared.
Notably, Azerbaijan has mobilized its resources and is utilizing advanced technologies to enhance mine clearance efficiency. The country has significantly improved its capabilities, deploying demining teams since 2023. Azerbaijan funds humanitarian demining independently but seeks political and practical support from the international community to mitigate the humanitarian impact of mines and clear affected areas.
The country has also launched initiatives to draw international attention to the mine problem. Last year, the country declared humanitarian demining as its 18th National Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) and is working towards its recognition as the UN's Global 18th SDG. Additionally, Azerbaijan initiated the establishment of a Special Contact Group on Humanitarian Demining within the Non-Aligned Movement, which began operating last September.
Over the past three years, Azerbaijan has hosted several remarkable international conferences in collaboration with the UN, focusing on mine action. These events serve as leading platforms for discussing mine-related issues and raising awareness about this significant global problem. Presently, Azerbaijan is working with the UN to establish a "Center of Excellence" to provide education on mine action. This development will allow Azerbaijan to share its expertise with other countries facing similar challenges.
The issue of humanitarian demining is not limited to Azerbaijan. It is a critical problem in conflict zones worldwide, including in the ongoing conflicts between Israel and Hamas, and Russia and Ukraine. In these regions, landmines and unexploded ordnance pose a continuous threat to civilian populations, hampering efforts to restore peace and rebuild communities.
In the Israel-Hamas conflict, the use of landmines and other explosive devices exacerbates the humanitarian crisis, causing civilian casualties and obstructing aid delivery. Similarly, in Ukraine, the conflict with Russia has left vast areas contaminated with mines, posing severe risks to civilians and hindering agricultural and economic recovery.
The humanitarian impact of landmines in these conflict zones underscores the urgent need for international cooperation and support for demining efforts that transcend geographic boundaries and historical timelines.
Furthermore, humanitarian demining is not just about clearing explosive remnants; it is essential for ensuring the safety and well-being of affected communities. It enables displaced persons to return home and facilitates long-term recovery and development. The call for solidarity and contributions toward a safer, mine-free world extends beyond Azerbaijan to other conflict zones, such as the Korean DMZ. The humanitarian imperative is clear: with collective effort, we can prevent further casualties and pave the way for sustainable recovery and peace in these regions.
However, without greater cooperation and sustained efforts to address conflict, human rights violations, and the climate crisis, the displacement of people, including those from demined areas, will continue to rise, leading to further suffering and escalating humanitarian costs. Only by acting together globally can we reverse this trend and ensure a future where communities can rebuild and thrive in safety.
About the Author
The author is a long-term member of the Royal Asiatic Society, Korea as well as an International cultural and historical affairs enthusiast. He has contributed columns to The Korea Times regularly for more than four decades. He is an editorial board member of Newsletter of the Korea-America Association and founding director of the Korea-Swedish Association and was awarded Sweden’s prestigious the Royal Order of the Polar Star in 2010.
