UN Ocean Conference side event

MUNIMAP, alongside with the other munition related projects MUNI-RISK, CONMAR and mMineSweeper is proud to part of the largest summit ever organised in favour of the worldwide oceans.

The co-organised by us side event “No Time to Waste: Tackling Submerged Munitions in European Seas” took place on board the r/v METEOR as part of the UN Ocean Conference. Bringing together over 80 stakeholders from politics, science, and civil society, the event fostered dialogue and raised awareness about the growing threat of submerged munitions in European seas.

Three key takeaways from the stakeholders' interactions are:

❗️Limited knowledge of munitions distribution: In most regions, we are still largely unaware of the locations and conditions of dumped munitions.

❗️The cost of inaction exceeds the cost of action: Failing to address the issue of submerged munitions poses significant and growing risks – to marine ecosystems, human health, economy, and security.

❗️Strategic clearance is essential: The removal of submerged munitions must follow a well-planned roadmap, prioritizing areas where ecological and societal impacts are greatest.

The Baltic Sea serves as a pioneer region in tackling this global challenge. Years of coordinated research, monitoring, and policy engagement provide insights that can support strategies in other regions – across and beyond Europe.