Mine Action and the Sustainable Development Goals
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of seventeen global goals to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for people everywhere. Developed by the United Nations, each goal has specific targets to be achieved by 2030. You can read all about them here.
Prospective Contributions of Mine Action to the Relevant SDGs
Source: Leaving no one behind: Mine action and the Sustaintable Development Goals, GICHD – UNDP, Geneva, June 2017. ISBN 978-2-940369-60-7. © GICHD 2017. Read the full report HERE.
- Productive use of previously contaminated land provides livelihood opportunities and generates income, unlocking beneficiaries from poverty.
- Safe access to economic and natural resources builds resilience in previously affected communities.
- Victim assistance contributes to social protection systems and measures for survivors.
- Released agricultural land enables communities to grow crops, improving food security and nutrition.
- Safe routes (re-)open access to markets and opportunities for value addition.
- Safe access to healthcare facilities and services in previously affected communities improves health and well-being.
- Safe access to education for women, girls, boys and men in previously affected communities promotes literacy and numeracy.
- Through victim assistance, survivors enjoy equal access to education, including through disability-sensitive education facilities.
- Removing explosive hazards and providing education on safe behaviour reduce violence against women and girls.
- Employing women in mine action and their participation in setting priorities and plans empowers women as agents of change in political, economic and social life.
- Land release promotes safe and equitable access to drinking water and sanitation previously denied to communities.
- Land release permits development of power infrastructure, making energy services accessible to previously affected communities.
- Land release enables safe access to natural resources, promoting economic growth and sustainable tourism.
- Mine action provides decent work and transferable skills for affected communities, including youth and persons with disabilities.
- The removal of explosive hazards fosters industrialisation and the development of sustainable and resilient infrastructure.
- Mine-free roads provide access to transportation systems, integrating enterprises into value chains and markets.
- Handing over released land to beneficiaries, particularly the poor, generates income growth, reducing inequalities and promoting inclusion of all, including people with disabilities.
- Through international cooperation, mine action donors support countries where need is greatest, addressing inequalities between countries.
- Re-establishing safe access to housing, public spaces and basic services for all, mine action contributes to the reconstruction of safe and inclusive cities and human settlements.
- Environmentally-sensitive mine clearance contributes to the protection and safeguarding of cultural and natural heritage.
- Safe access to previously denied natural resources enables their sustainable and efficient management and use.
- Environmentally-sensitive underwater clearance restores degraded aquatic ecosystems and supports their healthy and sustainable use.
- Environmentally-sensitive mine clearance contributes to conserve, restore and sustainably manage biodiverse terrestrial ecosystems.
- Removing explosive hazards and providing education on safe behaviour reduce violence and casualties.
- Mine action develops effective capacities, accountable institutions, and promotes national ownership, including through international cooperation.
- National, regional and international partnerships in mine action (e.g. governments, private sector, academia and civil society) enhance the exchange of resources, expertise, innovation and technology.
- Mine action information enhances the availability of timely and disaggregated data for SDG measurement, monitoring and progress reporting.