Bipartisan Congressional UXO/Demining Caucus hosts panel on Demining and U.S. Foreign Policy

On Wednesday, February 4th, the bipartisan Congressional UXO/Demining Caucus hosted a staff briefing highlighting how the State Department’s Conventional Weapons Destruction (CWD) programs advance U.S. national security and foreign policy objectives.

The event opened with remarks from Representative Chrissy Houlahan, Co-Chair of the Congressional UXO/Demining Caucus, who underscored the critical role demining plays in supporting U.S. foreign policy and national security priorities. Attendees also heard from a panel of experts including Karen Chandler, Director of the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in the State Department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, alongside State Department implementing partners The HALO Trust, Mines Advisory Group (MAG), and PeaceTrees Vietnam.

Panelists highlighted how demining and weapons security initiatives support U.S. foreign policy and national security goals, including by contributing to peace and stabilization in Cambodia, Syria, and across the Middle East, while strengthening U.S. leadership in Southeast Asia and globally. They also emphasized how these efforts facilitate access to critical minerals, including through the Lobito Corridor, which passes through heavily contaminated regions of Angola.

Speakers included:

• Representative Chrissy Houlahan, UXO/Demining Caucus Co-Chair
• Karen Chandler, Director, Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement, Political Military Affairs Bureau, the U.S. State Department
• Lucy Reeve, Regional Director for Africa, The HALO Trust
• Shari Bryan, Executive Director, Mines Advisory Group US
• Rebecca Giovannozzi, Congressional Liaison, PeaceTrees Vietnam

Watch the full speaking program, and see photos from the event, below.