In his address, State Secretary Štucin emphasised Slovenia's support for the Ottawa Convention and highlighted victim assistance as its main objective. Despite significant progress, anti-personnel mines continue to pose a serious humanitarian and development challenge, particularly to civilians, hampering relief efforts, reconstruction and normal life, he said. Slovenia fulfilled its obligations under the Ottawa Convention in 2003 and remains committed to global mine action efforts through the International Trust Fund for Enhancing Human Security (ITF), which now operates in more than 20 countries. Slovenia is committed to the full participation of mine victims in society and reiterates its strong support for Ukraine's mine clearance and reconstruction efforts.

Conference participants, most of whom come from countries with the highest number of mine victims today, will also visit URI Soča, the most experienced rehabilitation institute in this field in Slovenia. Mine victims continue to face difficulties in accessing long-term sustainable medical, psychological and financial assistance as well as new technologies and treatments.

By hosting the Conference in Ljubljana, Slovenia reaffirms its commitment and active approach to global efforts for a world free of anti-personnel mines since the adoption of the Convention in 1997. A year later, Slovenia established the ITF Fund, which works in a number of countries.

The EU-funded conference, organised by the Geneva Secretariat of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention and the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, concludes on 29 August.