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.
(ARMAC 12 November 2018)
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.
(ARMAC 16 October 2018)
The 7th Meeting of the Steering Committee of the ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center (ARMAC) was held on 26 September 2018 in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The meeting was chaired by H.E. Mr. Michael Tan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Singapore to the Kingdom of Cambodia and Chair of the ARMAC Steering Committee.
The meeting was also attended by members of the ARMAC Steering Committee from all ASEAN Member States and the Executive Director of ARMAC. In addition to updating on the progress of ARMAC’s continuing operationalisation, the meeting also discussed ARMAC’s future programmes and upcoming activities. UNDP, through its project Clearing for Results, sponsored the meeting.
In addition to the meeting, Steering Committee Members also had the opportunity to visit the Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC) Demining Unit 4 which includes the Peace Museum, Mine Detection Dog and Mine Detection Rat Training Sites. The visit aimed to give delegates a better understanding and appreciation for mine action and highlight its positive impacts. During the visit H.E. Mr. Heng Ratana, Director-General of CMAC, welcomed the delegates and generously offered his time to guide them through the museum and sites.
(ARMAC 26 September 2018)
The ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center, with funding support from the Government of Canada, is pleased to announce its inaugural Regional Workshop, “Enhance mine action knowledge and promote future platforms for mine action knowledge sharing for ASEAN Member States” to be held 12-14 November 2018 in Siem Reap Cambodia.
From left to right: Mr. Ly Panharith, Executive Director of ARMAC. Ms. Allison Stewart, Chargé d’affaires, Office of the Embassy of Canada. H.E. Marie-Louise Hannan, Ambassador of Canada to ASEAN. Ms. Dwi Prameswari, Technical Officer of Mine Action, ARMAC.
The Workshop is an invite only event which aims to enhance regional capacity and cooperation to effectively and efficiently address the issue of mines and explosive remnants of war in the ASEAN region. It will bring together ASEAN Member States, Donor Countries, mine action organisations/institutions, the ASEAN Secretariat and selected ASEAN academic institutions to:
For more information about the Regional Workshop, please visit ARMAC’s 2018 Regional Workshop Website.
(ARMAC, 04 September 2018)
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.
(ARMAC, 7 August 2018)
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.
(ARMAC, 7 August 2018)
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.”
The 6th Meeting of the Steering Committee of the ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center (ARMAC) was held on 29 May 2018 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The meeting was chaired by H.E. Mr. Michael Tan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Singapore to the Kingdom of Cambodia.
The meeting was attended by members of the ARMAC Steering Committee, comprised of delegates from all ASEAN Member States, and the Executive Director of ARMAC. The meeting discussed the development of ARMAC’s system, budget utilisation and projections, and programme activities, particularly in the areas of mine risk education, victim assistance, knowledge sharing and research and development.
The meeting acknowledged the progress of ARMAC, and encouraged ARMAC to expand its capacity.
(ARMAC 29 May 2018)
Today is International Mine Awareness Day! The world has marked this day, 4 April, to commemorate the mine action which has been conducted throughout the world and to keep reminding us about the urgency of mine action; not only to save lives but also to elevate their development. Want to see what UN Secretary-General, António Guterres says and listen to Daniel Craig speak about Mine Awareness Day? Please visit the UN’s Mine Awareness Day website.
(ARMAC, 04 April 2018)