Heidi Kuhn, Founder, Roots of Peace nominated for turning MINES TO VINES worldwide

Ednews reports that, May 31, 2024—Baku, Azerbaijan—International Eurasia Press Fund (IEPF), an independent international non-governmental organization (NGO) based in Baku, Azerbaijan, announced the nomination of Heidi Kuhn, Founder, Roots of Peace, as their 2024 Nobel Peace Prize Nominee in tribute to her efforts to turn MINES TO VINES—replacing landmines with vineyards and orchards worldwide.  Planting over seven million trees on former minefields, she has  impacted the lives of millions of farmers and families living in war-torn lands worldwide.

Mr. Umud Mirzayev, President, IEPF, made this formal announcement today at the International Mine Action Conference hosted in Baku, Azerbaijan—the city which was once home to Alfred Nobel, a wealthy businessman who made his fortune in oil along the Caspian Sea.  “The most famous invention of Alfred Nobel was dynamite, an explosive which is ironically used to detonate landmines.  He later realized the destructive power of this explosive and bequeathed his fortune to establish the Nobel Peace Prize in 1895.  It is fitting to make this announcement in Baku, as this same dynamite is used today to detonate landmines.” stated Mr. Mirzayev.

Today, Kuhn and Mirzayev signed a formal document to establish the 18th Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)—The Eradication of Landmines Worldwide.  Their logic concurs that the remaining United Nations 17 SDG’’s may not be accomplished in a minefield.

Baku, Azerbaijan is the host city for the 2024 Climate Change Conference known as COP29,  the annual climate change summit occurring from November 11th-24th

Earlier this week, Kuhn traveled to the minefields of Karabagh—a grape growing region which was once known as the ‘Black Garden’ for its’ high quality grapes.  Today, the land is now blackened with an estimated 1.5 million landmines sown in both the soil and soul.

Both Kuhn and Mirzayev announced a pilot project on a 100 hectar parcel of land in Fuzuli, Karabagh to detonate landmines, and restore the land with sustainable vineyards.

“Each landmine removed, and each fruit tree planted feeds future generations.  And, each tree planted sequesters carbon to restore the lungs of Mother Earth and fight climate change,” stated Heidi Kuhn.  “There are an estimated 110 million landmines in over 60 countries, and 30% of Ukraine is now contaminated by landmines which hold the land hostage and creates a food security crisis.  This nomination reaffirms my quest to replace minefields with sustainable agriculture for future generations to thrive.”

Each year, the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded to the person or organization that has done the most to promote peace and fraternity between nations, reduce or abolish armies, and hold and promote peace congresses.

For more information, see www.rootsofpeace.org.