ASEAN REGIONAL MINE ACTION CENTER
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.
Day two of ARMAC’s Regional Workshop was held today in Siem Reap and began with a field trip to the Cambodian Mine Action Center Deming Unit 4. Participants were welcomed by H.E. Mr. Prum Suonpraseth, Senior Director of CMAC, who briefed the attendees on the history and progress of mine action in Cambodia.
Workshop participants also had the opportunity to tour the Peace Museum and see first hand mine detection animals including dogs and APOPO’s HeroRATs. Manual deminers also showcased their skills and helped to illustrate the realities of mine action on the ground.
In addition to the field trip the second day of the Regional Workshop also featured more panel sessions including discussions on land release methodologies as well as a talk highlighting the importance of integrating gender perspectives into all aspects of mine action.
For more information on the workshop, including photos and presentation slides visit the 2018 Regional Workshop Website.
(ARMAC 13 November 2018)
Day two of ARMAC’s Regional Workshop was held today in Siem Reap and began with a field trip to the Cambodian Mine Action Center Deming Unit 4. Participants were welcomed by H.E. Mr. Prum Suonpraseth, Senior Director of CMAC, who briefed the attendees on the history and progress of mine action in Cambodia.
Workshop participants also had the opportunity to tour the Peace Museum and see first hand mine detection animals including dogs and APOPO’s HeroRATs. Manual deminers also showcased their skills and helped to illustrate the realities of mine action on the ground.
In addition to the field trip the second day of the Regional Workshop also featured more panel sessions including discussions on land release methodologies as well as a talk highlighting the importance of integrating gender perspectives into all aspects of mine action.
For more information on the workshop, including photos and presentation slides visit the 2018 Regional Workshop Website.
(ARMAC 13 November 2018)
Today is the opening day of ARMAC’s inaugural Regional Workshop, funded by the Mission of Canada to ASEAN. The Workshop’s aim is to “enhance mine action knowledge and promote future platforms of mine action knowledge sharing for ASEAN Member States”.
The workshop was opened by Lt. Col Jean Gosselin, Defence Attaché, Embassy of Canada to the Kingdom of Thailand. Opening remarks were given by H.E Mr. Michael Tan, Ambassador of the Republic of Singapore to the Kingdom of Cambodia and Chair of the ARMAC Steering Committee.
This first day features a number of sessions and discussions including presentations on the linkages between mine action and the UN Sustainable Development Goals as well as panel discussions on enhancing victim assistance and sharing best practices in mine risk education.
For more information on the workshop, including photos and presentation slides visit the 2018 Regional Workshop Website.
Today, ARMAC had the opportunity to host a meeting, in collaboration with SingHealth, on the “Assessment on the Needs and Resources for Mine/Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) Victim Assistance in Cambodia”. The meeting drew together a range of stakeholders and experts working across the health, disability and mine action sectors, with the aim to showcase and discuss the current status of psychosocial and physical rehabilitation services offered to mine/ERW victims and other persons with disabilities in Cambodia.
The Executive Director of the ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center (ARMAC) paid a courtesy meeting to Ambassador Jane Duke, Australian Mission to ASEAN, in Jakarta, on 7 August 2018. Executive Director Panharith took this opportunity to extend his gratitude for the Australian Government’s support, particularly in terms of providing Australian Volunteers to assist ARMAC in its daily operations. Both the Executive Director and the Ambassador looked forward to any potential collaborative opportunities between ARMAC and Australia in the near future.
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.
