ASEAN REGIONAL MINE ACTION CENTER
The ARMAC Permanent Secretariat team led by its Executive Director Mr. Prum Suonpraseth paid a courtesy call on the new UNDP Resident Representative Ms. Alissa Chaker and her team. The visit introduced both teams and discussed about the upcoming UNDP-ARMAC MoU. An action plan 2022 to support the implementation of the MoU will be prepared to bring to fruition areas of collaboration and mutual support identified under the MoU.
On 13 December 2021, the ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center (ARMAC) team led by its Executive Director (ED) Prum Suonpraseth paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Eldeen Husaini Mohd Hashim, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Malaysia to the Kingdom of Cambodia. During the meeting, ARMAC ED gave an update on the progress of ARMAC operations and projects in the region. In his presentation, Ambassador Hashim highlighted the strong connection between the Southeast Asian region and Malaysia, and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to ARMAC by engaging further support in the mine action sector. Both parties exchanged views of future plans. ARMAC ED also thanked the Ambassador and the people of Malaysia for their continued support to ARMAC.
10 December 2021: Follow-up working session with Ambassador Liurka Rodriguez Barrios of the Republic of Cuba based in Phnom Penh to explore potential areas of collaboration between Cuba and ARMAC where Cuban expertise in health science and in other areas could potentially be of humanitarian interests to support communities of ERW victims and survivors.
The Embassy of the Republic of Cuba is of the members of “Friends of ARMAC” Network.
Phnom Penh: 12 November 2021, His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Khaled Khiari, the UN Assistant Secretary-General of Middle East Asia and the Pacific, the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations visited the ARMAC Headquarters, along with the UN-related delegations. ARMAC Acting Executive Director (ED), Ms. Chanthana Sengthong provided an overview of ARMAC’s ongoing and pipeline projects and their challenges. The potential partnership between ARMAC and the UN agencies was suggested by both parties, to enhance regional cooperation and to achieve sustainable institutionalization. H.E. Mr. Khaled Khiari expressed his appreciation for the visit to ARMAC and showed his interest to understand further landmine/ERW issues in the ASEAN region and efforts to address them. He accepted the proposal to enhance the center’s capacity/expertise and delivered positive messages supporting ARMAC to take a more prominent role in humanitarian mine action work in the region.
Phnom Penh: 27 October 2021 – ARMAC Executive Director (ED) and Management staff met with JICA Deputy Chief Representative Mr. Shinji Yahagawa, and JICA Technical Advisor to CMA Mr. Hayashi Akihita to explore future opportunities for collaboration.
During the meeting, ARMAC ED gave an overview of the organization‘s ongoing and pipeline projects. He also provided examples on which areas can ARMAC and JICA possibly engage with to promote regional cooperation, and partnership.
JICA shared that their experience on South-South Cooperation using Cambodia and Lao PDR exemplified successful partnerships between Japan and ASEAN countries. As a center of excellence under the ASEAN Security Cooperation, both ARMAC and JICA agreed that that ARMAC’s role is to broker between stakeholders/partners in the region to widen the scope of South-South cooperation in the mine action sector.
A video presentation showing ARMAC’s engagements in the last 4 years was also shown.
31 August 2021 – ARMAC received financial support from the Embassy of Viet Nam in Cambodia, MB Bank Plc., and M.G.N. Emperor Bank during an in-person meeting between ARMAC staff and Vietnamese representatives on 31 August 2021.
ARMAC Executive Director (ED) advised everyone that the funds will go a long way to help sustain ARMAC’s operations and finance activities in the pipeline. ARMAC ED also delivered a short presentation highlighting the work of ARMAC, and potential future collaborations with Vietnamese entities. ARMAC ED also expressed his gratitude to Viet Nam’s continuous support to ARMAC including the joint organizing of the Friends of ARMAC inaugural launch in September.
Embassy of Viet Nam Charge d’ Affaires Mr. Lai Xuan Chien, and M.G.N Emperor Bank CEO Mr. John Tran were present during the meeting.
14 July 2021 – ARMAC team led by its Executive Director Prum Suonpraseth paid a courtesy call on Lao PDR Ambassador H.E. Mr. Amphay Kindavong at His Excellency’s Office in Phnom Penh.
ARMAC ED provided an update to Ambassador H.E. Mr. Amphay Kindavong, regarding latest projects and initiatives by the Center including the planned arrangement for the upcoming Friends of ARMAC Event which is targeted in Quarter 4 of 2021.
Their discussions also touched on ARMAC’s catalytic role as coordinator for the region; and how ARMAC can remain sustainable in the long run. ARMAC ED thanked the Ambassador for the Government’s continued support and financial contribution to ARMAC.
11 June 2021 – ARMAC and senior officials from the Embassy of Germany in Jakarta and GIZ met online and discussed about potential cooperation in 2022.
Institutional capacity building, outreach & communication, and knowledge management were discussed and identified as potential areas for cooperation between ARMAC and Germany.
11 June 2021 – ARMAC ED Prum Suonpraseth participated in the virtual Fifth Forum of Entities Associate with ASEAN. The Forum was convened to further strengthen the partnership between entities and ASEAN Secretariat, ASEAN sectoral bodies, ASEAN related centres, and among themselves.
One of the highlights of this year’s forum was the launch of the Entities Digital Platform, an independent cybernetic space for ASEAN’s associated entities and centres, which is embedded in the ASEAN website. It allows members to directly engage with one another; to post event announcements, and to call for applications. It also aims to streamline the accreditation process through digitalization.
The Forum was attended by about 100 participants representing ASEAN parliamentarians, judiciaries, youth, civil societies, women, and business and professional associations.
