The Only Conference Bringing Together Military, Humanitarian Groups, and Industry Leaders to Discuss and Improve Operations in EOD and Demining
23 - 24 September, 2025
| Copthorne Tara Hotel, London, UK
Day 1: Strategic Insights and International Cooperation
8:00 am - 8:45 am
REGISTRATION & COFFEE
8:50 am - 9:00 am
CHAIRMAN’S OPENING REMARKS
Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Mark Wickham -
Chairman,
Counter-Explosive Threat and Demining
9:00 am - 9:30 am
ENHANCING COUNTER-EO CAPABILITIES OF THE BRITISH ARMY
Colonel Darren Fisher -
Commander,
29 EOD & Search Regiment
Readiness and structural adaptation
Implementing strategies to maximise resource utilisation and achieve greater efficiency
Recognising the evolving threat and developing comprehensive countermeasures for non-conventional threats·
9:30 am - 10:00 am
HALO TRUST'S GLOBAL DEMINING EFFORTS AMIDST CHALLENGES
HALO Trust's strategic focus on clearing landmines and ERW in conflict-affected regions
Overcoming the challenging conditions under which Halo’s deminers work
The importance of partnerships and international cooperation in achieving our mission
10:00 am - 10:55 am
PANEL DISCUSSION: CURRENT THREAT LANSCAPE & OPERATIONAL CHALLENGES TO BE ADDRESSED
Alan Chapman MBA -
Deputy Head of Defence EOD Trials and Information Section,
Defence EOD and Search Branch
This panel will explore strategic opportunities for collaboration between military, humanitarian, and industry stakeholders to tackle evolving threats in demining and EOD operations. The discussion will focus on a three-pronged approach: military strategies, humanitarian impact, and industry innovation.
- How do we improve data collection and sharing through collaborative initiatives with military, NGOs and industry to enhance the effectiveness of bomb disposal operations?
- What role can partnerships play in accelerating the development and deployment of innovative EOD technologies?
- What new approaches can be developed to counter the increasing use of unseen explosive threats, and how can we enhance our capabilities to detect and dispose of these threats?
Alan Chapman MBA
Deputy Head of Defence EOD Trials and Information SectionDefence EOD and Search Branch
11:30 am - 12:00 pm
MORNING COFFEE AND NETWORKING
12:00 pm - 12:30 pm
ENHANCING GLOBAL SECURITY THROUGH COUNTER-EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DEFENCE ENGAGEMENT
Brian Howard -
Chief,
Counter Explosive Ordnance Defence Engagement (CEDE)
Effective engagement with international partners
Sharing knowledge and experience to counter explosive ordnance threats
Future Plans and key activities in the sector
12:30 pm - 1:00 pm
CASE STUDIES FROM THE FIELD: INTEGRATED TRAINING PROGRAMMES
Challenges in collaboration with the private sector: cross-disciplinary exercises to enhance communication and coordination between military, humanitarian and local organisations involved in demining and C-IED efforts
How to avoid negative training; do virtual simulations successfully reflect real life scenarios in demining and bomb disposal?
Finding capability gaps early: what practices need to be in place to ensure EOD technicians are utilising equipment effectively?
Impact of different types of EO on training standards and requirements and how knowledge of EO types can improve training effectiveness and safety
1:15 pm - 1:45 pm
MINE CLEARANCE AND EOD EFFORTS IN LEBANON
Brigadier General Jihad Al Bechelany -
Director,
Lebanese Mine Action Centre (LMAC)
Ongoing efforts to address legacy contamination and increasing damage in South Lebanon
Collaboration with international partners and the role of LMAC in coordinating national demining efforts
Training and capacity building within the region
1:45 pm - 2:45 pm
NETWORKING LUNCH
2:45 pm - 3:15 pm
THE LAND MINE AND ERW PROBLEM IN AZERBAIJAN
Mr. Elnur Gasimov -
Head of the Quality Control Department,
Mine Action Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ANAMA)
Highlights of current demining efforts and challenges
The role of international organisations and foreign governments in supporting Azerbaijan's demining efforts
Broader vision for post-clearance development
Mr. Elnur Gasimov
Head of the Quality Control DepartmentMine Action Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ANAMA)
3:15 pm - 4:45 pm
THE ROLE OF HUMAN EXPERTISE AND AUTONOMOUS INNOVATION IN MARITIME EOD
DTXG’s critical role as expert practitioners of maritime Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) in an era of evolving offboard and autonomous systems
Examining the Royal Navy’s MHC Programme; aims to transition from crewed to autonomous minehunting ships
Enhancing safety and boosting operational efficiency through lessons learned
3:00 pm - 3:30 pm
AFTERNOON TEA AND NETWORKING
4:00 pm - 4:40 pm
PANEL DISCUSSION: LESSONS LEANRED FOR FUTURE EO OPERATIONS
Luke Irving -
Chief Mine Action Programme,
UNMAS oPt
This panel will provide an update on demining and EOD operations in extensively contaminated regions while looking forward to escalating problems to free land in other conflict-affected regions, ensuring safe and sustainable development for affected communities.Discussions will include:
o Extent of contamination and challenges posed by deep-buried bombs within infrastructure and rubble
o Examples of successful joint efforts in explosive ordnance disposal and risk education
o Large-scale survey and clearance operations necessary to address the extensive contamination
4:30 pm - 5:00 pm
CAPACITY BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT IN PRE-CONFLICT ZONES
Strategies for building national capacities in EOD and C-IED
Training and development programs for operators
Addressing challenges to combine C-IED and counter drone technologies
