Azerbaijan, Baku, April 4 / Trend K.Zarbaliyeva /
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged to join the mine awareness and assistance in mine action.
"I thank all those who have contributed to international mine action. I also applaud the 156 States which are party to the Mine Ban Treaty, the 55 that have ratified the Convention on Cluster Munitions, and the 99 that have ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities," Ki-moon's statement reads.
April 4 is the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action.
"I call for universal adherence to these important treaties, increased support for mine awareness and mine action, and greater global solidarity in support of this crucial element in our drive to build a safer and more prosperous world for all," Ki-moon said.
"Mine clearance prevents an indiscriminate weapon from causing harm and havoc long after conflicts have ended, while also creating jobs, transforming danger zones into productive land and setting societies on course for lasting security," the statement reads.
"Last year, hundreds of thousands of people received United Nations mine risk education that prevented tragedy for individuals, families and communities. In Afghanistan alone, 14,400 people were employed in the mine action sector, helping to destroy more than 1 million explosive remnants of war."
He said despite its many well-documented successes, mine action remains underfunded. The 2011 portfolio of projects has secured only about a quarter of the needed resources, leaving a funding gap of $367 million.
While this is a significant sum, Ki-moon said, the cost is far outweighed by the benefits of removing explosive hazards, creating awareness, providing mine risk education, assisting survivors and helping communities.