For the 27th edition, The Journal is accepting articles on a rolling basis about MA operations in Ukraine. How are organizations currently operating and planning for future operations in the country? How is the sector pivoting and adapting their work in response to the current conflict? In what ways will the situation in Ukraine shape the work of the sector for the foreseeable future?

How are organizations mitigating the effects of environmental impacts of operations on vegetation, wildlife, soil, and air? How is mine action positively contributing to the protection of natural resources, creatively contributing to local socio-economic development, and improving environments once contaminated with explosive hazards?

Urban settings and destroyed buildings present mine action actors with incredible challenges. With the need for battle area clearance and debris disposal in the Middle East and Ukraine, how are organizations using best practices in urban settings where explosives and other hazardous materials present unique problems for detection, clearance, and disposal activities?

As noted by the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs, securing SALW and reducing their circulation, trafficking, and illicit use among the population, removes a frequent choice of weapons used in gender-based violence. Additionally, the misuse of SALW can have differing effects on men, women, and children. How have organizations employed gendered analysis when planning for PSSM and in weapons identification, marking, and tracing activities? How have organizations worked to employ women in these activities and what have been the effects on the programs as well as the local population? What role does CWD play in aiding gender equality?

How has PSSM evolved over the past decade? The Journal seeks articles on changes detailing risk assessment, effective accountability/inventory systems, conducting training/risk assessments; maintaining physical infrastructure of storage sites; destruction of surplus and obsolete stockpiles, etc. What have we learned and what is the way forward?

With the ever-evolving nature of artificial intelligence (AI), what measures are in place and/or necessary for MA organizations using AI? Is there a need for standards within IMAS? How are organizations using this technology working within national and international legislation?

In post-conflict scenarios, key infrastructure with known explosive hazards is prioritized for clearance. However, in situations where large-scale contamination impacts critical industries such as agriculture and energy, how should mine action organizations allocate their resources?

When dealing with surplus or obsolete stockpiles of ammunition or SALW, how can countries efficiently dispose of munitions? What techniques or equipment are programs using to ensure these weapons are destroyed at minimal cost while maximizing safety? 

When hostilities cease, landmines, booby traps, and UXO are immediate threats to displaced persons/refugees returning home. What kinds of resources can the global community employ to quickly address high-risk explosive contamination to civilians and ongoing recovery efforts? Whether it’s BAC or PSSM, how are organizations using best practices and cost-effective measures to protect civilians and infrastructure?

For the past five years, improvised mines accounted for the highest number of casualties of all explosive devices, with civilians making up 71 percent of casualties, 59 percent of whom were killed. From terminology to record-keeping, how can we improve the community’s reporting of improvised mine casualties so that transferring data between different organizations is seamless and the likelihood of errors is minimal?

Mine action is grounded in humanitarian principles and maintains strict policies of neutrality and impartiality. When MA organizations find themselves in areas with immediate security concerns, does the scope of their activities change? How do priorities shift to the protection of staff, and how can organizations ensure the safety of their personnel while mobilizing critical resources to still pursue humanitarian objectives?