ASEAN REGIONAL MINE ACTION CENTER
JAKARTA, 07 August 2018 – The Executive Director of the ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center (ARMAC) paid a courtesy meeting to H.E. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan, Deputy Secretary-General for ASEAN Political-Security Community, and H.E. Dr. AKP Mochtan, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for Community and Corporate Affairs at the ASEAN Secretariat, Jakarta.
During the meeting, Deputy Secretaries-General congratulated ARMAC for the achievements made during its full operationalisation since the end of 2017 and conveyed that the ASEAN Secretariat will stand ready.
Having been established as an ASEAN entity through the ASEAN Leader’s Statement at the 21st ASEAN Summit, it is apt for ARMAC to actively engage with the ASEAN Secretariat on possible collaborative opportunities and any strategic planning and directives to elevate ARMAC’s profile. Ultimately, it is hoped that ARMAC’s ongoing efforts and achievements will further contribute to building a cohesive, peaceful, stable and resilient region for the ASEAN community.
Executive Director of ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center (ARMAC) hosted the visit of Ms. Daniela Dempf, First Secretary and Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Germany in Cambodia, to the ARMAC Permanent Secretariat on 19 June 2018. Ms. Daniela Dempf gave an appreciation of full operationalisation of ARMAC in the year of 2018 with clear mandate and function.”
H.E. Prak Sokhonn, Senior Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia, and H.E. Michael Tan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Singapore to Cambodia and current Chair of the ARMAC Steering Committee, signed the Agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia and the ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center (ARMAC) on Hosting and Granting Privileges and Immunities to ARMAC on 27 February 2018 at ARMAC Headquarters. The signing was witnessed by the members of the ARMAC Steering Committee and delegates from the Embassies of all ASEAN Member States in Phnom Penh.
The Agreement is the key legal instrument that embodies the Kingdom of Cambodia’s commitment and support to ARMAC, as the host country to the ARMAC Headquarters. It sets out the duties and responsibilities of the parties as well as the privileges and immunities granted by the Royal Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia to ARMAC to enable it to perform its functions and operations effectively.
ARMAC’s mandate and functions are to i) enhance awareness programmes on dangers of Explosive Remants of War (ERW) among affected communities, ii) facilitate appropriate medical and rehabilitation assistance for victims of ERW, upon requests from affected ASEAN Member States, and iii) assist interested ASEAN Member States in research and knowledge sharing on the effects of ERW and efforts to address them, including through writing proposals for technical assistance projects and funding.
Having formally begun its first year of operations, ARMAC looks forward to working together with relevant ERW-related institutions and development partners to undertake cooperative activities, projects and programmes in line with ARMAC’s mandate. The Center also welcomes interested partners to consider funding its activities and operations in areas that may be of interest to them.
H.E. Senior Minister Prak Sokhonn, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia and H.E. Michael Tan, Ambassador of the Republic of Singapore to Cambodia and Chairman of the Steering Committee of the ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center (ARMAC) for 2018, signed an Agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia and ARMAC for the Granting of Privileges and Immunities to ARMAC.
H.E. Senior Minister Prak Sokhonn, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia with the ASEAN Ambassadors in Phnom Penh and Steering Committee Members of the ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center.
ARMAC hosted a meeting between HaloTrust and the ARMAC permanent secretariat on 15 January 2018. The meeting was a courtesy call to ARMAC and HaloTrust congratulated the Executive Director of ARMAC for his involvement in ARMAC’s operationalisation. The meeting started with a brief introduction from the participants and proceeded with the presentation on ARMAC’s establishment, structure and implementation progress. Both parties hope for further development of strategy, action plans and programmes in the future.
Mr. Matthew said HaloTrust has been established in Cambodia since 1991 – working with UNCHR to conduct surveys. Currently there are 1000 local staff working in specific areas in Cambodia and 3 (three) expats. Among this 1000 staff, 800 staff focus on mine clearance and 200 others work on the disposal of ordnance/stockpiles, surveys, and MRE. In Cambodia, the selection of areas to be cleared is decided by the National Authority, CMAA. The funding received by HaloTrust comes from various donors, such as the USA, UK, Germany and Ireland. HaloTrust looks forward to having more consolidated funding mechanisms for more efficient mine action programmes conducted in the country.
In the ASEAN region, HaloTrust currently has a presence in Lao PDR and Myanmar also. Mr. Matthew expressed interest for collaboration with ARMAC, specifically regarding cross-border demining coordination.
ARMAC hosted a meeting with NPA lead by Mr. Steiner Essen, Head of NPA’s Humanitarian Disarmament Department.
NPA suggested that ARMAC should communicate with other centres, donors and development partners such as GICHD and UNDP for further collaboration. Mr. Ly Panharith, ARMAC’s Executive Director conveyed the need for technical assistance and capacity building related to mine action in general. Both parties agreed to explore specific cooperation opportunities in detail.
The ARMAC Permanent Secretariat requested a meeting with H.E. Christopher B. Montero, Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to the Kingdom of Cambodia and 2017 Chairman of ARMAC Steering Committee to congratulate and appreciate his successful chairmanship. Key milestones were achieved while he was Chairman as ARMAC transitioned into a fully functioning organisation.
H.E. Christopher B. Montero offered advice on how ARMAC should continue with the fulfillment of its mandate and functions.
ARMAC Permanent Secretariat gave their best wishes to the Chairman for the success of his mission in Cambodia and beyond.
The ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center hosted a courtesy call with Ms. Allison Stewart, Chargé d’affaires, Embassy of Canada in Cambodia, on 28 December 2017. During the meeting, ARMAC’s Executuive Director Mr. Ly Panharith gave an overview of ARMAC’s history, establishment, structure, mandate and functions, and the preliminary work-plan. He also underlined that conducting a survey or discussion to assess the needs, challenges, and resources in landmine/ERW affected ASEAN states to assist with the development of ARMAC’s strategy and programmes.
A few suggestions were given by Ms. Allison Stewart regarding ARMAC’s project management manual and outlined the process of Canada’s development funding through the Canadian representative in Jakarta. The Embassy of Canada in Cambodia will assist ARMAC to transfer information regarding ARMAC.
ARMAC will continue to seek any possibilities for collaboration in the region.
The ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center (ARMAC) hosted a courtesy call with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) at ARMAC’s Permanent Secretariat on 25 December 2017. Both organisations gave a brief introduction about themselves and outlined cooperation opportunities for the near future.
Mr. Roman Paramonov explained that ICRC has been working in Cambodia since 1979 during the emergency situation, and currently ICRC focuses on various programmes, such as: to improve general conditions of detention and treatment of detainees in Cambodian prisons (i.e. access to equitable health care, safe drinking water, family links service, etc.), physical rehabilitation for people with disability, and to promote the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and the implementation of universal humanitarian principles. In the mine action sector, ICRC contributes to both mine risk education and victim assistance in Cambodia. In Battambang and Kampong Speu, ICRC established Regional Physical Rehabilitation Centres, and support the outreach programme through mobile workshops.
During the meeting, ARMAC’s Executive Director Mr. Ly Panharith discussed the effectiveness of integrating MRE into school curricula and the potential for ICRC to implement this. Also, as CMAA’s National Mine Action Strategy includes MRE and Victim Assistance as main goals, ICRC in Cambodia may have further opportunities for cooperation.
During the meeting, Ms. Dwi Prameswari gave a presentation on the history of ARMAC’s establishment, structure, and implementation progress. Mr. Roman Paramonov mentioned his interest for potential collaboration in the future as ICRC’s programmes are relevant to ARMAC’s mandate and functions
ICRC has conveyed and offered their support to provide expertise for training in the future. In return, ARMAC also offers support on providing inputs to the ICRC workshops and/or training. As ICRC has an office in most countries in Southeast Asia, there is high potential collaboration with ARMAC at the regional level.
The ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center (ARMAC) hosted a courtesy call with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) at ARMAC’s Permanent Secretariat on 25 December 2017. Both organisations gave a brief introduction about themselves and outlined cooperation opportunities for the near future.
Mr. Roman Paramonov explained that ICRC has been working in Cambodia since 1979 during the emergency situation, and currently ICRC focuses on various programmes, such as: to improve general conditions of detention and treatment of detainees in Cambodian prisons (i.e. access to equitable health care, safe drinking water, family links service, etc.), physical rehabilitation for people with disability, and to promote the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and the implementation of universal humanitarian principles. In the mine action sector, ICRC contributes to both mine risk education and victim assistance in Cambodia. In Battambang and Kampong Speu, ICRC established Regional Physical Rehabilitation Centres, and support the outreach programme through mobile workshops.
During the meeting, ARMAC’s Executive Director Mr. Ly Panharith discussed the effectiveness of integrating MRE into school curricula and the potential for ICRC to implement this. Also, as CMAA’s National Mine Action Strategy includes MRE and Victim Assistance as main goals, ICRC in Cambodia may have further opportunities for cooperation.
During the meeting, Ms. Dwi Prameswari gave a presentation on the history of ARMAC’s establishment, structure, and implementation progress. Mr. Roman Paramonov mentioned his interest for potential collaboration in the future as ICRC’s programmes are relevant to ARMAC’s mandate and functions
ICRC has conveyed and offered their support to provide expertise for training in the future. In return, ARMAC also offers support on providing inputs to the ICRC workshops and/or training. As ICRC has an office in most countries in Southeast Asia, there is high potential collaboration with ARMAC at the regional level.
Ms. Dwi Prameswari, ARMAC’s Technical Officer of Mine Action requested a meeting with the Country Director of JRS in Cambodia to exchange information on victim assistance and mine action. The interaction and collaboration with various stakeholders will benefit the center to further implement its mandate and functions. The success of mine action in the region involves many actors, including the NGOs, who give inputs and suggestions, and implement their own impactful programmes.
There are 5 (five) JRS Offices in the Southeast Asia region which are involved with mine/ERW action and victim assistance. JRS Cambodia was established in 1990, and initially focused on refugees, victims of landmines, poverty and vocational training for people with disabilities. Sr Denise Coghlan was on the Steering Committee of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) when it received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997.
In victim assistance, besides ensuring the basic components of medical response, rehabilitation, psychosocial support and economic development given to the survivors, it is also important to encourage survivors and people with disabilities to get involved in programmes which are relevant to them. JRS published the book “I am Happy I am Alive!”, which outlines a Village-Focused Approach led by survivors with inputs from leaders and communities to make the National Plan understandable at the local level.
