The Ministry of Economy of Ukraine is strengthening support for the development of innovations in humanitarian demining by launching a dedicated platform. The key directions of the platform’s work were presented during the Innovation Session: Mine Action in Ukraine, which was focused on the use of innovative technologies in humanitarian demining.

"Over the past year, as the Ministry of Economy, we have directly organized and participated in the presentation and testing of various innovative technologies in humanitarian demining. Our primary goal now is not just to have as many different technologies as possible, but to connect the needs of mine action operators with developers. That is why one of the platform’s key functions will be transforming fragmented initiatives from various stakeholders into a systematic and comprehensive international-level ecosystem," said Ihor Bezkaravainyi, Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine.

The Innovation Platform for Humanitarian Demining will focus on building a system aimed at creating, testing, and implementing innovations in the demining sector. This ecosystem will integrate research and engineering developments, the practical experience of Ukrainian demining specialists, and international expertise to develop solutions capable of accelerating the clearance of territories contaminated with mines and other explosive ordnance. Additionally, attracting investments, resources from international partners, and private companies will help scale innovations and establish production. The platform will also serve as a testing and refinement hub for new technologies, including autonomous robotic systems, drones, multi-sensor platforms, and artificial intelligence for explosive ordnance detection.

"We are creating a national analytical center aligned with IMAS standards, which will form the foundation for systematically integrating innovations into humanitarian demining. Our goal is not just to generate new technologies but to integrate them into real-world operations. Through collaboration with universities and research centers, we will accelerate the transition from development to practical application, ensuring that effective solutions are deployed in the field as quickly as possible," said Kateryna Drozd, Lead for Innovations of Mine Action Office under the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine.

Today, Ukraine serves as a unique testing ground for developing new demining methods that could later be applied in other countries facing similar challenges. By concentrating innovation, expertise, and practical experience in one place, the platform lays the foundation for a new approach to humanitarian demining — one that can be scaled and adapted for use in various regions worldwide.

Thus, the platform will not only serve as a development hub but will become a full-fledged ecosystem capable of driving technological breakthroughs in mine action and humanitarian demining on a global scale.