Within the framework of the Arabic-language Outreach Programme (AOP) for mine action, the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) in partnership with the LMAC organized the 4th AOP Annual Conference for National Directors in Beirut, Lebanon from 20 to 22 October 2015, at the Golden Tulip Hotel.

This annual event was attended by the National Directors and Officials from the National Mine Action programmes and other mine action stakeholders in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, the Swiss Ambassador to Lebanon, representatives of the United Nations agencies, the EU, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and other relevant parties from the Arabic-speaking countries in order to discuss progress made, challenges, and exchange lessons learnt and ideas in regard to the AOP.

This three-day conference comprised of presentations and discussions on current mine action issues at both regional and international levels, presentations by the national mine action authorities on their progress, challenges, and lessons learnt, as well as presentations by national and international organizations active in the region on their plans for mine action in 2016. National and regional priorities to focus on for the upcoming year were also discussed and identified by all participants. In the last day, participants took a field trip organized by the LMAC to mine action activities taking place in Lebanon.

It is worth mentioning that this conference was funded by the European Union (EU) and the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD), and supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the AOP.

{gallery}4th AOP Annual Conference for National Directors{/gallery}