Introduction to humanitarian mine action systems for experts from Central Asia kicks off in Kazakhstan

A five-day OSCE regional course, Introduction to Humanitarian Mine Action Systems, started on 1 April 2019 in Almaty, Kazakhstan. 

The course, jointly organized by Kazakhstan’s Defence Ministry, the OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan and the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe, gathered 31 military and civilian experts from Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. 

The event provides a platform to enhance awareness of and skills for the safe, effective and efficient establishment of Humanitarian Mine Action Systems. The theoretical part of the training is delivered at Kazakhstan’s Partnership for Peace Training Centre (KAZCENT) in Almaty, while practical exercises are conducted at the Demining Centre of Kazakhstan’s Defence Ministry in Kapshagay on 4 April 2019.

During the event experts from the United States Army Central, the United States Air Forces Central Command, KAZCENT, the Demining Centre of Kazakhstan’s Defence Ministry, the Croatian Mine Action Centre, the Norwegian People’s Aid Tajikistan, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine and the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe are sharing experiences and best practices.

The course is part of the OSCE’s long-term support for the development of a co-operation mechanism among states in Central Asia to address concerns and challenges stemming from the disposal of explosive hazards.