Syria and UN Discuss Strengthening Mine Clearance Coordination
The Director of the International Cooperation Department at the Syrian Ministry of Foreign and Expatriates, Qutaiba Qadish, held a meeting on Sunday with the Director of the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), Kazumi Ogawa. The meeting was held as part of ongoing efforts to bolster coordination between the two sides.
Discussions during the meeting centered on the pivotal role played by the UN agency in Syria, with both parties emphasizing the necessity of elevating the level of existing coordination. The Syrian side stressed that the Syrian government serves as the primary and central umbrella responsible for leading and organizing all operations and procedures related to mine clearance within Syrian territory. This framework is intended to ensure the sovereignty of the state while organizing field efforts with maximum efficiency.
Furthermore, the two sides explored ways to enhance the capabilities of national institutions working within this sector. They underscored the importance of exchanging practical expertise to support local efforts, with a specific focus on the role of the National Mine Action Center as the specialized central national authority.
This meeting occurs as Syrian authorities continue their efforts to enhance cooperation with international organizations and humanitarian institutions, ensuring that mine clearance operations are carried out in accordance with national standards. Earlier on the same day, Qadish also met with the Executive Director of the Canadian organization “Human Concern International” (HCI) and her accompanying delegation. During that meeting, they reviewed potential cooperation across various developmental and humanitarian sectors to strengthen the response to existing needs in the country.
Source: Syria Focus Arabic
