Participation of the Center in the Innovation Conference in Luxembourg
Representatives of the Serbian Mine Action Centre and the Academy of Technical and Educational Vocational Studies – Niš Department participated in the international Innovation Conference 2025, held from 28 to 30 October in Luxembourg.
The conference brought together more than 400 participants from 50 countries, who exchanged knowledge and experience on the application of innovations in the field of humanitarian demining and explosive ordnance risk management (EORM).
Throughout the three-day program, discussions focused on the development and financing of innovations, the use of artificial intelligence and satellite data, new mechanical and underwater demining techniques, as well as on connecting scientific, humanitarian, and private-sector stakeholders in joint projects.
Representatives of the Serbian Mine Action Centre took part in the plenary session entitled “Addressing Underwater EORE Contamination,” where they presented the issue of the submerged German fleet in Prahovo on the Danube River.
During the event, a meeting of the Strategic Steering Committee was also held, which provides guidance to the work of the Innovation Technical Group (ITG). The meeting was chaired by Ambassador Tobias Privitelli, Director of the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD). On that occasion, participants defined the strategic vision and long-term objectives of the ITG. The meeting gathered representatives of GICHD, national mine action centers, private companies, non-governmental organizations, and international donors.
In addition, a meeting of the Innovation Technical Group itself was held, co-chaired by representatives of GICHD and the Serbian Mine Action Centre. The ITG is a joint body bringing together national mine action authorities, research institutions, and the academic community, with the aim of developing and implementing advanced technological and methodological solutions in the field of humanitarian demining and ammunition management.
The conference was organized by the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) with the support of the Government of Luxembourg, the Government of Switzerland, and the European Union.
Director Tobias Privitelli emphasized that delays in innovation mean delays in the safety of millions of people around the world.
The key message of the conference was that innovation, knowledge, and partnerships are essential to accelerating global progress toward a world free of explosive remnants of war.
During the conference, for the first time, the GICHD Innovation Awards were presented for projects employing artificial intelligence and risk quantification models in humanitarian demining operations.
