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15 Mar
ARMAC had the honor of hosting a distinguished delegation from the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Indonesia
Today, we had the honor of hosting a distinguished delegation from the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Indonesia. The delegation was led by H.E. Mr. Jalal Mirzayev, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Republic of Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, Timor-Leste, and ASEAN and Mr. Musa Jafarov, Second Secretary. This courtesy visit marks a pivotal moment in fostering stronger ties and exploring potential collaborations between ARMAC and Azerbaijan, particularly in areas such as mine action and regional security.
Azerbaijan, a country celebrated for its rich cultural heritage and remarkable strides in socio-economic development, faces challenges such as landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO). Despite these hurdles, Azerbaijan’s resilience and dedication to advancing peace and prosperity are evident.
Our dialogue today centered around the mission of ARMAC, identifying avenues for collaboration in mine action, and reinforcing our shared commitment to regional peace and stability. We explored how Azerbaijan’s engagement with ASEAN and its member states can be further enhanced, focusing on opportunities for technical assistance, capacity building, and policy development.
We are enthusiastic about the potential of our cooperation and look forward to making collective strides towards a safer and more secure region.
A heartfelt thank you to H.E. Mr. Jalal Mirzayev, Mr. Musa Jafarov, and the entire Azerbaijani delegation for a fruitful meeting.
08 Mar
Ms. Rothna Buth Appointed as the First Female Executive Director of ARMAC
Phnom Penh, Cambodia – March 7, 2024 – On the event of International Women’s Day, the ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center (ARMAC) proudly announces the historic appointment of Rothna Buth as its new Executive Director. This marks a significant milestone as she becomes the first woman to hold this leadership position in the organization’s history. Her appointment, on the cusp of a day that celebrates the achievements of women worldwide, underscores ARMAC’s commitment to gender equality and inclusive leadership in the realm of humanitarian demining and explosive ordnance disposal.
Rothna Buth has demonstrated exceptional leadership and strategic vision in her previous roles in humanitarian demining efforts in Cambodia. Her extensive experience, including impactful contributions as the Country Operation Manager for the Humanitarian Research and Development Program (HD R and D), Country Director for The Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation and over a decade with MAG (Mines Advisory Group), has prepared her to lead ARMAC toward new horizons of excellence and effectiveness in mine action.
In her acceptance speech, Ms. Buth expressed her gratitude and vision for the future: “I am deeply grateful for the trust and confidence placed in me by the steering committee and the Kingdom of Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I dedicate my appointment as a testament to the strides we are making towards gender equality and the empowerment of women in leadership roles. I am committed to leveraging my expertise and dedicating all necessary resources to advance our shared goals. Together, we will continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in mine action, striving to create a safer, more prosperous future for all.”
The outgoing chair, H.E. Santo Darmosumarto, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to the Kingdom of Cambodia, reflected on Ms. Buth’s appointment: “In Ms. Rothna, we find not just a leader but a beacon of innovation and inclusivity, a pioneer who shatters ceilings and forges pathways for others to follow. Her leadership comes at a time when our mission’s need is as pressing as ever.”
The incoming chair, H.E. Buakeo Phumvongsay, Ambassador of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic to the Kingdom of Cambodia, also shared his enthusiasm: “Today marks not just a transition but a historic milestone for ARMAC as we welcome Ms. Rothna Buth. Her appointment heralds an era where inclusivity and diversity are celebrated. Under Ms. Buth’s stewardship, ARMAC is poised to enhance its role as the center of excellence, driving forward our mission to alleviate the sufferings of communities affected by landmines and explosive remnants of war.”
ARMAC, headquartered in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, plays a pivotal role in coordinating and facilitating cooperation among ASEAN Member States and various stakeholders to address the challenges posed by landmines and explosive remnants of war. With Ms. Buth at the helm, ARMAC is set to enhance its impact across the region, furthering its mission for a safer and more prosperous Southeast Asia.

For more information about ARMAC and its initiatives, please visit the ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center https://aseanmineaction.org/

-The End-
07 Mar
The ASEAN Regional Mine Action Centre (ARMAC) had the honor of hosting a fruitful meeting with Mr. Michael Weiss, Project Director
Today, the ASEAN Regional Mine Action Centre (ARMAC) had the honor of hosting a fruitful meeting with Mr. Michael Weiss, Project Director, Assisting ASEAN in Countering Arms Smuggling, Capacity Building for the ASEAN Secretariat, Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Development of the ASEAN AHA Centre, and Ms. Nicole Piechatzeck, Policy Advisor from the esteemed Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.
Our discussions centered around strengthening our collaboration and exploring avenues for sustainable development and international cooperation. With GIZ’s rich 50-year history in promoting a future worth living through economic development, energy, environment, and peace, we are thrilled about the potential this partnership holds for making significant strides in our joint endeavors.
25 Feb
25th Anniversary of National Mine Awareness Day
As we mark the 25th Anniversary of National Mine Awareness Day, the vibrant celebrations in Battambang City serve as a powerful reminder of our collective journey towards a safer future. The ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center (ARMAC), in solidarity with the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) and the global community, celebrates this pivotal milestone in our mission against the remnants of war.
It was an honor for our Executive Director Rothna Buth to attend this significant event, embodying ARMAC’s dedication to mine action across ASEAN.
Our commitment is further exemplified by the inspiring leadership and vision shared by H.E. Ly Thuch, Senior Minister and First Vice President of CMAA. His updates on Cambodia’s progress towards a landmine-free 2025 and the establishment of the “Samdech Techo Project for Mine Action” under the theme “Providing Safe Ground, Creating Smiles” are commendable milestones in our shared mission.
Central to our reflections on this day is the profound speech by H.E Buakeo Phumvongsay, Ambassador of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic to Kingdom of Cambodia and ASEAN Chairmanship 2024. He eloquently highlighted the essence of unity and collaboration in overcoming the challenges posed by landmines and Explosive Ordnance (EO). “As we stand on the cleared lands, we are reminded of the resilience of the human spirit and the power of collective action. Our path to peace is paved with the dedication of every deminer, the support of the international community, and the strength of those who’ve suffered. Together, we’re not just clearing land; we’re reclaiming futures.”
This message resonates deeply with our mission at ARMAC, urging us to renew our commitment to a mine/EO-free ASEAN. Each Explosive Ordnance cleared, each piece of land returned to communities, and every life saved propels us closer to our goal.
Let us continue to stand united in our efforts to secure a safer tomorrow for all. Together, we can turn the vision of a mine-free future into a reality.
22 Feb
The Working Visit of H.E. Mr. Lee Jang-Keun, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to ASEAN

A Warm Welcome H.E. Mr. Lee Jang-Keun to ARMAC

On the 20th of February 2024, the ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center (ARMAC) was privileged to host His Excellency Mr. Lee Jang-Keun, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to ASEAN. Ms. Rothna Buth, ARMAC’s newly appointed Executive Director, and the ARMAC team delivered a comprehensive briefing highlighted the center’s pivotal initiatives, notably the Victim Assistance Project “Enhance Victim Assistance program in the ASEAN member states” generously funded by #ASEANKoreaCooperationFund.
The Ambassador’s recognition of ARMAC’s efforts towards supporting landmine and ERW victims, and enhancing the Victim Assistance Network, underscores the significant role of ARMAC in fostering ASEAN-Korea cooperation in humanitarian Mine Action. This collaboration is instrumental in advancing our shared objectives of safety and development within the ASEAN region.
The Republic of Korea’s continued support is invaluable, reflecting a deep commitment to humanitarian assistance and regional stability. As we acknowledge this partnership, we reaffirm our dedication to a future where the ASEAN community is free from the threats of landmines and ERW, bolstered by the solidarity and support of the Republic of Korea.
09 Feb
Regional Workshop on Promoting Gender Equality and Inclusive in ASEAN Mine Action

Regional Workshop on Promoting Gender Equality and Inclusive in ASEAN Mine Action

On 7-8 February 2024, in Siem Reap, Cambodia, ARMAC and GICHD together conducted a regional workshop on Promoting Gender Equality and Inclusion in ASEAN Mine Action. There are 25 (20 female) with National Mine Action Authorities, and national and international operators from Cambodia, Lao PDR, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and UN agency.
The regional workshop aims to help build capacity for gender and diversity mainstreaming by providing a platform for discussion around existing best practices and approaches in the region. Gender norms vary between contexts but there are many shared challenges and opportunities in Southeast Asia for leadership in this area, especially as Siem Reap is to host the upcoming Review Conference and 22nd Meeting of States Parties of the APMBC, with Cambodia in the role of President.
ARMAC is well-placed to provide a forum for knowledge-sharing across national authorities and other stakeholders in the region. This project is funded by the Canada Fund for Local Initiative and German Humanitarian Assistance.
ARMAC is well-placed to provide a forum for knowledge-sharing across national authorities and other stakeholders in the region. This project is funded by the Canada Fund for Local Initiative and German Humanitarian Assistance.

#ARMAC #GICHD #CANADAFUND

31 Jan
Regional Workshop on Promoting Gender Equality and Inclusion in ASEAN Mine Action

Regional Workshop on Promoting Gender Equality and Inclusion  in ASEAN Mine Action

Objectives

With support from Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) and, in-kind and co-fund support from the German Federal Foreign Office through the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD), ARMAC aims to invite relevant organisations to share experiences and best practices on gender and diversity mainstreaming approaches in mine action, as well as to facilitate discussion on gender and diversity in the upcoming Siem Reap Action Plan of the APMBC. This will likely be facilitated by trainers from the GICHD’s Inclusive Risk Reduction Division over two days in February 2024 (Siem Reap, Cambodia).

 

The workshop will likely cover the following suggested topics:

  • Introduction to Gender and Diversity
  • Gender & Diversity Mainstreaming in Mine Action: Practical Guidance
  • Gender & Diversity in Strategic Planning and Information Management: Role of the National Authority
  • Gender & Diversity in National Mine Action Standards and Quality Management
  • How to address gender and diversity in the upcoming Siem Reap Action Plan of the APMBC
15 Dec
The 13th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus Experts’ Working Group on Humanitarian Mine Action (13th ADMM-Plus EWG on HMA)
13-14 December 2023, Nanjing, PR China:
At the invitation of the Ministry of National Defense of the People’s Republic of China and the Ministry of National Defense of the Kingdom of Cambodia, ARMAC Executive Director, Mr. Prum Suonpraseth attended the 13th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus Experts’ Working Group on Humanitarian Mine Action (13th ADMM-Plus EWG on HMA). The meeting provided ample opportunity for ARMAC to promote its regional mandates, enhance further cooperation as well as share its view on civil-military cooperation on humanitarian mine action in the region. The meeting also witnessed the handover of the co-chairmanship from Cambodia-PR China to Russian Federation and Lao PDR for the next ADMM-Plus EWG on HMA cycle 2024-2026.
08 Oct
Inclusive Leadership Training in Mine Action

Inclusive Leadership Training in Mine Action

2-5 October 2023, Vang Vieng, Lao PDR:
The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) in partnership with the ASEAN Mine Action Centre (ARMAC) organised a Gender and Diversity Inclusive Leadership Training in Mine Action course for Mine Action managers in Southeast Asia from 2-5 October 2023. The training was made possible by the generous funding from the government of the Federal Republic of Germany.
The course was primarily directed to the leadership of the Mine Action sector. More specifically, mid to senior level managers, aiming at enhancing Mine Action leadership’s commitment towards gender and diversity mainstreaming, and how that commitment could influence the creation of an enabling environment for mainstreaming activities, and thus better-informed interventions and responses. It is expected that the training would help the leadership teams within stakeholder organisations in the mine action sector to strengthen their capability for fostering inclusive workplaces, where gender, diversity, and inclusion are mainstreamed into work practices and decision-making processes. In addition, by attending this course, leaders and managers will learn how to apply a gender and diversity transformative approach, by which they act as agents of change for advancing gender equality and inclusive work environment in their respective organisations.
The training was held in person in a classroom setting and were divided into 5 modules: 1) Power and Abuse of Power, 2) Cultures and Organisational Cultures, 3) Governance and Inclusive Leadership, 4) Accountability and Inclusive Leadership and 5) Communicating as a Leader. Simultaneous interpretation from English to 5 different languages (Khmer, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Laotian) were also provided.
10 Sep
The 2nd High-Level Regional Meeting on ” Enhancing Regional Cooperation and Resource Mobilization in ASEAN in Mine/ERW Action”

Nanjing, China PRC:

On 7-9 September 2023, ARMAC in coordination with the ministry of foreign affairs (MFA) of the People’s Republic of China (China PRC) co-hosted the 2nd High-Level Regional Dialogue under the theme, “Enhancing Regional Cooperation and Resource Mobilization capacity in Mine/ERW Action in ASEAN” in Nanjing city, China PRC. The dialogue was followed by a Technology and Equipment Exhibitions organized by Shanghai Emerging Science and Technology Institute.

The dialogue was made possible by the generous support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of the People’s Republic of China. The meeting was attended by high-ranking members of the diplomatic community and representatives from the National Mine Action Authorities/centers of the affected-ASEAN Member States (AMS), representatives of ARMAC Steering Committee, representative from ASEAN Secretariat, UNDP, UNMAS, and Canada to learn/share the successes, challenges, best practices, national strategies in implementing mine action programmes, as well as to provide the opportunity for affected AMS and their respective counterparts to further enhance bilateral/multilateral cooperation for mobilizing resources.

The dialogue was presided over by Minister Counsellor/Charge d’affaires of the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Beijing, MR. IRWANSYAH MUKHLIS, on behalf of the Chair of 2023 ARMAC Steering Committee (ARMAC SC) and co-chaired by ARMAC Executive Director Mr. PRUM SUONPRASETH and Mr. MA SHENKUN, Deputy Director General of the Department of Arms Control of the MFA of China PRC.
In his welcoming remarks, Mr. MA SHENKUN underscored that China PRC has always listed ASEAN as a key target of demining assistance and cooperation, and has done its utmost to provide assistance within its capacity and supported the project “Enhancing ASEAN’s Regional Cooperation and Resource Allocation Capacity in Mine Clearance” to help implement the ASEAN Political and Security Community Blueprint 2025 with practical actions. He further added that China was committed to working with affected ASEAN countries to continue to build a peaceful homeland in accordance with the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two sides, promote the development of the China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership, build a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future, and contribute to peace and development in the ASEAN region.
Addressing the dialogue, Mr. Prum Suonpraseth, Executive Director of ARMAC, started by extending his appreciation to the Government of the People’s Republic of China, for sponsoring this event, and for taking an ever-increasing interest ad active engagement in humanitarian mine action work and cooperation within the ASEAN region. ARMAC ED further stated that, “the dialogue demonstrates the commitment towards deepening China-ASEAN multilateral cooperations, demonstrating the strength of regional partnership and solidarity. The partnership between ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center with the Government of the People Republic of China a partnership of immense importance which is rooted in our common aspiration and shared value for the cause of Humanitarian Mine Action. The dialogue would serve as a key platform for ensuring progress, prosperity, sustainability of Humanitarian Mine Action in the ASEAN region and for advancement of partnership framework on cooperation and resource mobilization in affected AMS thru bilateral or multilateral mechanism with other governments of AMS, international and regional donors.” He further added that, “traditional financing has been a critical issue in our sector in the affected AMS. As such, using innovative financing or exploring non-traditional financing for the sector could provide an alternative solution to the financing gaps. And while technology and innovation continue to emerge and play important role in speeding up mine action work, initiatives on how to balance and align this advancement to other relevant aspects in the sector should also be visited, for example the need to balance and address environmental issues, aging workforce in the sector and how to expand our scope in formulating standard approaches to using technology between countries and within the region, in mitigating risks for destruction and detonation, and in advocating for adopting practices that are not only sustainable but are also mindful of available resources.
In his opening remarks, the Chair of ARMAC SC highlighted that, “Indonesia would like to see a resilient ASEAN and become a barometer for cooperation that would contribute to peace, stability and prosperity in the region and world. With this spirit, Indonesia takes up a theme of “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth”. Indonesia puts its priority deliverables under 3 pillars: (i) ASEAN matters, (ii) Epicentrum of Growth, and (iii) implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific (AOIP). Under these 3 pillars, Indonesia is determined to make ASEAN important and relevant for the people of ASEAN and beyond, including to actively carry out peace and humanitarian diplomacy. Along with ASEAN Political-Security Blueprint 2025 and ASEAN Leaders’ Statement on the Establishment of an ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center, Indonesia sees the need to support ARMAC as a platform of regionalism and multilateralism. It has successfully carved out a niche for itself in the region and provided the foundation for cooperation in humanitarian mine action (HMA) in the region. ARMAC’s role today is perhaps more important than ever before given the geopolitical challenges and uncertainties that we are facing. In addition, Indonesia has a high commitment to demining in global level and has ratified the Ottawa Convention in 2006 and actively carried out demining process under UN peacekeeping operations in Lebanon and Democratic Republic of Congo”.
The Chair added that the dialogue served to enhance the cooperation by strengthening dialogue and practical cooperation in humanitarian assistance and maintaining regional peace, security and stability collectively and as a platform for affected AMS to propose new and innovative projects to a high-level international audience. Also, the event was timely and as funding to the HMA sector is facing challenges with competing priorities and arising conflicts in other parts of the world.
Mine action is always at the forefront of efforts to rebuild lives and communities in the affected AMS. Despites the conflicts have been over years ago, these remnants of war continue to cause casualties to innocent civilian and hinder socio-economic and infrastructure development. The impacts of conflict have not only left thousands of survivors but also family members of non-survivor or known as indirect victims in need of ongoing medical care, rehabilitation, psychosocial support and facilitation to overcome the countless barriers to accessing necessary services, as well as school, employment and community life.
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