ASEAN REGIONAL MINE ACTION CENTER
23
Apr
Regional Seminar on the Full and Effective Operationalisation of ARMAC
ARMAC had the honour of being a part of the Regional Seminar on the Full and Effective Operationalisation of ARMAC on 22-23 April 2019 in Siem Reap, Cambodia, organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation – MFA.IC . This two-day seminar covered the discussion on experiences and best practices in addressing mines/ERW in the ASEAN region, the progress and development of ARMAC, the roles of ARMAC in enhancing regional efforts through integrated approach as well as ARMAC’s financial sustainability in the recent and upcoming years.
The seminar also included a field visit to the Cambodian Mine Action Center’s – CMAC’s training facility and Peace Museum. The demonstration of Mine Detection Rats by APOPO’s HeroRATs and Mine Detection Dogs by CMAC were also made during the visit.
This seminar had active participation from delegates from the ASEAN Member States, ASEAN Secretariat, Mine Action Centre/Authority, Mine Action related organisations in the ASEAN region, Research Institutions and other Development Partners. Much appreciation was extended to all delegates for their continued support of ARMAC.
04
Apr
International Mine Awareness Day 2019 Seminar
On 4 April 2019, close to 400 attendees gathered to mark the 2019 International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action hosted by ARMAC, with funding support from the Government of Norway, the Royal Thai Government, the Government of Ireland, and the Clearing for Results Project.
Celebrated under the theme of “Raising Mine and Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) Awareness for Peace, Stability and Resilience in #ASEAN through Youth Participation” the day saw 32 sponsored university students join a seminar to learn about the dangers of mines/ERW and efforts to address them.
The day was opened by H.E. Mr. Panyarak Poolthup, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Kingdom of Cambodia and Chair of ARMAC Steering Committee, and H.E. Mr. Morten Høglund, Norway’s Dedicated ASEAN Ambassador, who both highlighted the significance of the day and the students’ important efforts.
H.E. Mr. LY Thuch, Senior Minister and First Vice President of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) delivered the keynote address and toured an exhibition of the student’s artworks and essays, which were produced as part of the student’s efforts to spread awareness on the impacts of mines/ERW.
Closing out the day, the students were presented with certificates to thank them for their participation and to acknowledge their commitment to act as youth ambassadors by sharing mine/ERW information with their peers and youth communities.
For more information about the event, visit ARMAC’s Mine Awareness Day 2019 Website.
(ARMAC 04 April 2019)
01
Apr
Appreciation of Turkey’s Contribution to ARMAC
Appreciation of Turkey’s Contribution to ARMAC
ARMAC would like to thank the T.C. Punom Pen Büyükelçiliği / Turkish Embassy in Phnom Penh for their generous funding support that enabled ARMAC to purchase essential office equipment and enhance our work! We very much appreciate Turkey’s strong commitment to mine action.
14
Mar
International Mine Action Roundtable: Challenges and Best Practices
The Executive Director, Mr. Ly Panharith, is currently attending the 3rd day of the International Mine Action Roundtable: Challenges and Best Practices, organised by the Islamic Republic of Iran Mine Action Center and the International Committee of the Red Cross.
The roundtable is aimed at bringing together mine action stakeholders and experts from different countries and contexts in order to exchange ideas and foster information sharing.
08
Feb
22nd International Meeting of Mine Action National Directors and United Nations Advisers
ARMAC had the pleasure of attending and presenting at the 22nd International Meeting of Mine Action National Directors and United Nations Advisers (NDMUN22) last week at the Palais des Nations, UN Geneva. The presentations are now available for download from the NDMUN22 Website.
ARMAC convened a meeting to discuss the needs for capacity development in mine action with delegations from Cambodia, Lao PDR and Thailand.
28
Jan
Meeting with the Chair and Vice-Chair of ARMAC’s 2019 Steering Committee
Today, the ARMAC Permanent Secretariat led by Mr. Ly Panharith, Executive Director, met with the Chair and Vice Chairs of the ARMAC Steering Committee to discuss the Center’s priorities for the new year.
H.E. Mr. Panyarak Poolthup, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Kingdom of Cambodia and new Chair of the Steering Committee of ARMAC for 2019, led the meeting and was joined by the Vice Chairs representing Cambodia and Viet Nam.
The meeting outlined ARMAC’s future plans and goals, and how the Center aims to continue in its mission to support mine action in the ASEAN Region.
14
Dec
ARMAC Hosts a Meeting with a Delegation from Norway
Today, ARMAC had the pleasure to host a meeting with a delegation from Norway led by H.E. Mr. Hans Brattskar, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Norway to the United Nations and the 2019 President of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention. H.E. Mr. Brattskar was accompanied by H.E. Ms. Kjersti Rødsmoen, Ambassador of Norway to Thailand and Ambassador-designate to Cambodia, as well as Mr. Aksel Steen-Nilsen, Country Director of Thailand and Cambodia Norwegian People’s Aid – Humanitarian Disarmament.
The meeting discussed Norway’s extensive contributions to the mine action sector and highlighted its continuing commitment to the ASEAN region. Also discussed was how ARMAC could pave the way for closer cooperation between ASEAN Member States, international organisations and local stakeholders.
ARMAC greatly appreciates the efforts of H.E. Mr. Hans Brattskar in focusing global attention on mine action and wishes him a successful presidency.
(ARMAC 14 December 2018)
30
Nov
17th Meeting of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention
The 17th Meeting of the States Parties to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention is currently underway in Geneva. The meeting gathered more than 600 delegates to take stock of the status of the Convention and its current level of implementation.
ARMAC, represented by its Executive Director, Mr. Ly Panharith, is attending the meeting and spoke during the side event “Towards a Mine-Free Cambodia, 2025.”, which explored the country’s mine action progress and how stakeholders such as ARMAC can assist Cambodia in reaching its 2025 goal.
The Executive Director of ARMAC also had the pleasure to liaise a meeting between delegates from Thailand and Myanmar of the ASEAN family on the margins of the Meeting.
14
Nov
Third Day of ARMAC’s 2018 Regional Workshop
Today is the last day of ARMAC’s Regional Workshop, funded by the Mission of Canada to ASEAN. Over the last three days the Workshop has covered the full scope and breadth of mine action and brought together ASEAN and international stakeholders to share their insights and knowledge.
The Workshop’s final day’s sessions covered the areas of research and development as well as how international cooperation can be a key factor in ensuring the sustainability of mine action programmes. Also covered was how Cambodia’s support to ARMAC as host country has assisted the Center in operationalizing and continuing its future mission.
The Workshop was closed by H.E Mr. Meas Kim Heng, who noted the importance of an ASEAN focused mine action center in building connections and communications between member states to share knowledge and resources.
For more information on the workshop, including photos and presentation slides visit the 2018 Regional Workshop Website.
Sidebar: