Ambassadorial-level Meeting of the UN Peacebuilding Commission on Mine Action
Delivered by H.E Ms. Beth Delaney, Chargé d'affaires, Permanent Mission of Australia to the UN
29 July 2026
Thank you Chair,
Australia welcome’s today’s discussion and thanks Colombia and Cambodia for sharing their experiences.
Today’s discussion highlights that mine action is not simply a humanitarian or technical activity, but can be a peacebuilding tool.
Mine action enables displaced people to return home, restores access to land and livelihoods, and creates the conditions for recovery and development.
It delivers visible peace dividends, builds trust and strengthens confidence within communities recovering from conflict.
Australia has seen this firsthand in our Indo-Pacific region.
For more than three decades, Australia has supported Cambodia’s mine action efforts, including through more than $3 million last year for mine clearance and victim assistance.
As we have heard today, what began as a humanitarian necessity has become a powerful example of how mine action can contribute to long-term recovery, development and stability.
The importance of nationally owned approaches, sustained partnerships and building local capacity cannot be overstated in delivering these outcomes.
We are also increasingly conscious of the challenge posed by explosive remnants of war in the Pacific.
As Pacific Islands Forum Leaders recognised last year, these remnants are not simply a legacy issue.
They continue to affect human security, economic development, environmental management and access to land and resources. Addressing them is therefore an important part of building resilient and prosperous communities.
Chair,
Mine action is more effective when integrated into broader national peacebuilding and recovery efforts.
It should not be viewed as a standalone technical activity, but as part of a wider effort to rebuild trust, strengthen communities and sustain peace.
The Peacebuilding Commission should draw on these experiences to promote greater coherence between political, peacebuilding, development and humanitarian actors.
Mine action does more than remove explosive hazards. It removes barriers to recovery, reconciliation and lasting peace.
Australia will continue to support mine action in our region and globally, recognising its vital contribution not only to safety and recovery, but to sustaining peace itself.
Thank you.