The Only Conference Bringing Together Military, Humanitarian Groups, and Industry Leaders to Discuss and Improve Operations in EOD and Demining

Name: Countering Explosive Threat & Demining
Start: 2025-09-23
End: 2025-09-24

23 - 24 September, 2025 | Copthorne Tara Hotel London Kensington, London, United Kingdom

Preliminary Agenda

Sponsorship Opportunities

Advancing EOD and C-IED Capabilities: Cooperation, Innovation, and Capacity Building

Join us on 23-24 September 2025 in Copthorne Tara, London, UK for the Countering Explosive Threat & Demining Conference!

In response to increasing levels of explosive threats and contamination, it is imperative to provide advanced equipment to enhance the safety and efficiency of clearance operations. The contamination in the Middle East presents a unique opportunity for industry providers to demonstrate solutions that support governments, military, and humanitarian groups in tackling extensive mine action and EOD requirements.

Harnessing Advanced Technology and Training in EOD and C-IED

With the advancement of technologies such as drones, robotics, and sensors, there is significant market potential to be explored. The evolving global situation necessitates the development of comprehensive and efficient requirements within the EOD and demining sectors.

Day One: Focus on enhancing counter-explosive ordnance (EO) capabilities, building national capacities in conflict zones, and fostering international cooperation in demining and EO disposal. Key discussions include readiness, resource utilisation, training programs, and addressing legacy contamination, with insights from military, humanitarian, and industry perspectives.

Day Two: The emphasis is on future directions in EOD and C-IED operations, highlighting advancements in AI, robotics, and remote sensing technologies. Sessions explore innovative approaches to detection and disposal, integrating mine action with humanitarian development, and leveraging technology to enhance the safety and efficiency in EOD operations.

Preliminary Agenda

What's New for 2025

Collaborative Discussions: Engage in increased interactive discussions and panels fostering collaboration between military units, industry, and NGOs, leading to innovative solutions and more effective counter-EO efforts.

Innovative Funding Strategies and Capacity Building: Learn about innovative funding strategies for demining activities to secure essential resources for your projects.

AI and Robotics Advancements: Explore how AI and robotics are revolutionising demining and EOD efforts with advanced algorithms and autonomous systems designed to detect and dispose of explosive devices more efficiently and safely.

Data Collection and Interoperability: Discover best practices for collection and storing on ammunition, explosive ordnance, and mine action to improve coordination and operational efficiency.

Preliminary Agenda

2025 SPEAKERS INCLUDE:

Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Mark Wickham

Chairman

Counter-Explosive Threat and Demining

Major General (Ret.) Rob Thomson

Chief Strategy Officer

The Halo Trust

Brian Howard

Chief

Counter Explosive Ordnance Defence Engagement (CEDE)

Mr. Elnur Gasimov

Head of the Quality Control Department

Mine Action Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ANAMA)

Lieutenant Commander Matthew Irwin

EOD/C-IED Branch Chief

U.S. Africa Command

Armen Harutyunyan

Head of Standards and Operations

Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD)

Alan Chapman MBA

Deputy Head of Defence EOD Trials and Information Section

Defence EOD and Search Branch

Stephen Ingram

Technical Advisor

Mines Advisory Group International (MAG)

View All Speakers

5 KEY BENEFITS OF ATTENDING

Enhance international collaboration with EOD partners from civilian, military and humanitarian sectors to develop joint strategies for demining and explosive ordnance clearance

Engage directly with policy directors from leading NGO’s and government bodies to support their ongoing clearance objectives across the globe

Identify the new explosive threat landscape through briefings from operational clearance leaders, and align your operating procedures to defeat the new threat

Understand new international directives towards demining and C-IED for both military and civilian sectors, with dedicated sessions on the new International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) framework

Use technical capability demonstrations from leading experts in detection and disposal systems to develop cutting-edge defeat-the-device capabilities

Preliminary Agenda

Countering Explosive Threat & Demining Conference 2024 Highlights Video

Take a look at the 2024 #CETAD Highlights reel! This event provides a unique opportunity for the EOD community to engage in productive discussions with allied and friendly nations alongside industry partners to tackle the existence of explosive ordnance and mines globally.

With 20+ Speakers, 150+ Attendees and 15+ Nations in attendance, 2024’s event has successfully brought together industry providers, governments officials, military, and humanitarian groups to discuss tackling extensive mine action and EOD requirements.

LEARN MORE

Maximising Humanitarian Demining,

Interview with Armen Harutyunyan

Armen Harutyunyan, Head of Standards and Operation at Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD), provides an update on his strategic vision for the organisation. This includes its evolution, success factors, standards and innovations, and the trends from the past 5-10 years that have influenced its current line of effort. An insightful interview with Harutyunyan, working within one of the most vital organisations on demining.

DOWNLOAD THE INTERVIEW HERE

Left of the Boom; Staying Ahead of the IED Threat,

Interview with Colonel Christopher Bartos Deputy Director of C-IED COE

As new technologies hit the commercial market, there is always the potential for them to be abused for nefarious reasons. Combined with new tactics, this unfortunately ensures that the IED threat will continue to evolve. To stay ahead of the curve the Counter-Improvised Explosive Device Centre of Excellence endeavours to research and disseminate lessons and trends so that the threat can be better countered. Defence IQ was privileged to interview the deputy director of the centre, Colonel Christopher Bartos.

DOWNLOAD THE INTERVIEW HERE

Join us on 23-24 September 2025 in Copthorne Tara, London, UK for the Countering Explosive Threat & Demining Conference as we welcome an audience of industry providers, governments officials, military, and humanitarian groups to discuss tackling extensive mine action and EOD requirements.

Register now to secure your place at this two-day event. For any assistance, please contact us below.