The international day is being observed in nearly 30 countries, with a series of dedicated ceremonies.
In a special message, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said landmines had no place in any civilised society.
There are still more than 80 countries affected by landmines and explosives left over from conflicts and up to 20,000 adults and children are killed or maimed by them every year – at least one fifth of the victims are children.
At the same time some 150 countries have signed up to the convention banning anti-personnel landmines.
Source: BBC News
