The International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association (ITA) advocates the use of the underground to help improve the quality of lives and life around the world, while also standing for peace, dignity, prosperity and equality on and in a healthy planet.  ITA is present in 78 countries and is the global organization for the world’s tunnelling industry.

As a United Nations Organisation (UN) associated Non-Governmental Organisation, ITA aligns with UN rules and recent resolutions deploring Russia’s military aggression, with Belarus’ involvement, against Ukraine, and directing Russia to immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/LTD/N22/272/27/PDF/N2227227.pdf; and the determination of United Nations International Court of Justice that the Russian Federation immediately suspend the military operation  in the territory of Ukraine .https://www.icj-cij.org/public/files/case-related/182/182-20220316-ORD-01-00-EN.pdf

ITA believes that war, in all its forms, contradicts the goals and aspirations of our association. ITA supports international humanitarian law to spare civilians and civilian facilities and infrastructure.

We encourage all of our members, including Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus, to engage in open dialogue that will achieve an end to this conflict and address the humanitarian crisis of the Ukrainian people within and beyond their country’s borders. ITA stands with our Member Nations to help them in the future.

ITA as a professional association empathizes with our friends and colleagues who are suffering from this situation.