ARMAC Participates in the 15th ADMM-Plus Experts’ Working Group on Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA)
ASEAN REGIONAL MINE ACTION CENTER
02
Jun
ARMAC Participates in the 15th ADMM-Plus Experts’ Working Group on Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA)
ARMAC proudly took part in the 15th ADMM-Plus Experts’ Working Group on Humanitarian Mine Action, held in Moscow, Russian Federation. The meeting was co-chaired by the Lao People’s Democratic Republic and the Russian Federation, and brought together representatives from ASEAN Member States and Dialogue Partners to exchange insights, experiences, and future plans related to mine action technology and innovation.
During the technical session on “Prospects for the Development of Mine Action Equipment,” ARMAC delivered a presentation on the evolving landscape of mine action in Southeast Asia. The presentation emphasized the importance of survivor-centered approaches and showcased innovative practices and regional cooperation mechanisms, including efforts to enhance interoperability, data systems, and the application of new technologies across ASEAN.
We extend our sincere appreciation to the ASEAN Secretariat, as well as the Co-Chairs—Lao PDR and the Russian Federation—for their excellent coordination and support in facilitating ARMAC’s participation and contribution to this important platform.
ARMAC’s participation highlighted the Center’s commitment to advancing technical exchange, promoting cross-border collaboration, and supporting the ASEAN Political-Security Community Blueprint 2025. This engagement also reflects ARMAC’s growing role in connecting ASEAN’s regional expertise with global innovations in humanitarian mine action.
Together, we continue to move toward a safer, mine-free ASEAN.
19
Apr
ARMAC Highlights ASEAN Mine Action Leadership at NAMYO & ECOSOC Youth Forum 2025
ARMAC Highlights ASEAN Mine Action Leadership at NAMYO & ECOSOC Youth Forum 2025
On 16 April, the ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center (ARMAC) proudly participated in the 2025 NAMYO & ECOSOC Youth Forum held in New York.
Representing ARMAC and ASEAN, Executive Director Ms. Rothna Buth joined a high-level roundtable virtually, contributing perspectives grounded in ASEAN’s regional cooperation model for humanitarian mine action.
The side event, “NAM Youth Perspective: Regional and Global Cooperation in Mine Action,” convened young leaders, UN entities, and global stakeholders to explore pathways for more inclusive and effective mine action partnerships within the Non-Aligned Movement and beyond.
Ms. Buth highlighted:
– The critical role of inclusive, regionally-led coordination mechanisms
– The value of South-South cooperation, peer learning, and technical exchange
– The contributions of youth, women, and communities in sustaining mine action
– The imperative to link mine action with the SDGs, development, and climate resilience
As a center of excellence in mine action, ARMAC remains committed to promoting ASEAN’s values of peace, security, and development through regional leadership, innovation, and inclusive engagement.
We thank NAMYO, ECOSOC, and all partners for championing youth voices in global mine action efforts.
13
Apr
ARMAC at the 28th Meeting of Mine Action National Directors and UN Advisers (NDM-UN28)
ARMAC at the 28th Meeting of Mine Action National Directors and UN Advisers (NDM-UN28)
Geneva, Switzerland | 9–11 April 2025
The ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center (ARMAC) was proud to participate in NDM-UN28, a premier global forum for mine action, hosted by the United Nations and the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD).
ARMAC’s Executive Director, Ms. Rothna Buth, served as a panelist at the side event “Mines to Minds: Advancing Research, Innovation, and Technology in Humanitarian Mine Action”, co-organized by UNDP and ANAMA (Mine Action Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan).
In her intervention, Ms. Buth highlighted ARMAC’s regional role in advancing innovation in mine action, including:
– Leveraging AI for Explosive Ordnance Risk Education through the S.A.F.E. Chatbot
– Strengthening regional knowledge exchange and collaboration
– Exploring the establishment of an ASEAN-based Regional Innovation Node for Mine Action
Participation in NDM-UN28 reflects ARMAC’s ongoing commitment to promoting a mine-free ASEAN by enhancing cooperation, advancing innovation, and aligning mine action with sustainable development priorities.
ARMAC extends sincere appreciation to the Government of Switzerland, the United Nations, GICHD, and all partners for supporting this meaningful dialogue.
Together, we move from mines to minds—forging pathways toward safer, more resilient communities across ASEAN and beyond.
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.
14
Sep
Second Technical Working Group Meeting for the Project, “Enhancing Regional Cooperation and Resource Mobilization Capacity in Mine/ERW in ASEAN”
On 13 and 14 September, the ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center with funding from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of the People’s Republic of China organized the Second Technical Working Group Meeting for the Project, “Enhancing Regional Cooperation and Resource Mobilization Capacity in Mine/ERW in ASEAN”. The Meeting showcased examples of projects demonstrating cross-sectoral collaboration, regional cooperation, as well as innovative financing models which could be adopted for the mine action sector. The last day of the meeting was spent to developing draft proposals for submission to the High-Level Regional Meeting. A total of 35 participants attended the meeting.
04
Aug
Workshop on Strengthening a strategic approach to address the rights and needs of mine/ERW survivors
On 4-5 August, ARMAC staff participated in a 2- day workshop on “Strengthening a strategic approach to address the rights and needs of mine/ERW survivors, affected families and persons with disabilities in Cambodia” which was organized by the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority. The workshop showcased current policies and programs, challenges, and recommendations to improve the delivery of victim assistance in Cambodia.
ARMAC supports strategic framework initiated by the relevant national stakeholders to ensure mine/ERW victims are given equal opportunities to access essential services.
23
Dec
Technical Working Group Meeting for the Project, “Enhancing Regional Cooperation and Resource Mobilization Capacity in Mine/ERW in ASEAN”
On December 23, the ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center with funding from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of the People’s Republic of China kicked off an online Technical Working Group Meeting for the Project, “Enhancing Regional Cooperation and Resource Mobilization Capacity in Mine/ERW in ASEAN”. The Meeting presented new technologies and innovations such as the use of digital EORE, environmentalism in mine action; successful country cases on maximizing impact and mobilizing resources; and best practices of regional cooperation and partnership within and outside the ASEAN region. A draft matrix on priority areas for enhancing regional cooperation and mobilizing resources for sector was the key output of the meeting. Thirty senior level officials and representatives from government ministries, bilateral donors, international organizations and NGOS, and UNDP participated. This is the first TWG Meeting for the PRC-funded project. The next TWG meeting is slated in the end of Quarter 1 of 2022.
31
Aug
ARMAC received financial support from Viet Nam
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.
25
Aug
Technical Working Group on Mine Action, Cambodia
Technical Working Group on Mine Action, Cambodia
25 August 2021 – ARMAC is thankful to the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) for involving us in the TWG process, a synergy contributing to a successful implementation of the Cambodia’s NMAS 2018-2025 as it looks forward to reporting its progress and strategy going forward to members of the APMBC at the upcoming 19MSP later this year in the Netherlands.
ARMAC stands ready to coordinate, facilitate and cooperate with Cambodia and all other affected as well as non-affected ASEAN Member States (AMS) in addressing the humanitarian aspect of mine action, particularly supporting the implementation of Cambodia’s NMAS 2018-2025 and promoting regional cooperation.
The signing of MoU between ARMAC and CMAA in 2018 and the most recent implementation agreement between ARMAC and CMAA is a testament of resilience of the two entities despite the pandemic. ARMAC is looking forward to the new collaboration in the new project to establish victim assistance network as a regional platform for various stakeholders among the AMS, providing train-the-trainer course in the area of psychosocial support to victims as well as conducting research in “Mine/ERW Victim Assistance Inclusive Services in Cambodia,” and “Community Perspectives of Humanitarian Mine/ERW Action in Lao PDR and Viet Nam”.
(ARMAC, 25 August 2021)
01
Jul
Hybrid Workshop on “Achieving Sustainable and Inclusive Development in Landmines/ERW-Affected Countries”
Hybrid Workshop on “Achieving Sustainable and Inclusive Development in Landmines/ERW-Affected Countries”
01 July 2021 – The ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center (ARMAC) together with the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Phnom Penh organized a Hybrid Workshop on “Achieving Sustainable and Inclusive Development in Landmines/ERW-Affected Countries” in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
The Workshop underscored the need for collective efforts of ASEAN countries and partners in linking mine action to support the implementation of SDGs in the region. H.E. Ly Thuch, Senior Minister and Vice President of Cambodia Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority delivered the opening remarks.
Over 90 senior officials, experts and representatives from national mine action centers, government planning offices, NGOs and UN offices in the region participated in the Workshop.
(ARMAC, 01 July 2021)
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