National Ownership Turns Partnership into Lasting Mine Action

16 Sep
National Ownership Turns Partnership into Lasting Mine Action
ARMAC congratulates the Government of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic on assuming the Presidency of the Third Review Conference of the Convention on Cluster Munitions and leading efforts to advance the Vientiane Capital Action Plan.
Against this important backdrop, Lao PDR and Japan hosted the side event “Lao PDR–Japan Partnership for Nationally Owned and Sustainable UXO/Mine Action: Strengthening National Capacity for Development-linked UXO Clearance and Regional Cooperation.”
The event opened with remarks by the Deputy Director-General of the Department of International Organizations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lao PDR, and Mr. Koga, Counsellor at the Embassy of Japan in Lao PDR.
The discussion showed what a sustained partnership can achieve when national ownership remains at its centre. Long-term cooperation can help national institutions strengthen their systems, retain expertise and connect humanitarian UXO clearance with national development priorities, while keeping humanitarian principles and affected communities at the heart of decisions.
Joining representatives of UXO Lao, JICA and CMAC, ARMAC’s Programme Coordinator – Mine Action, Mr. Jelson Song, contributed a regional perspective drawn from the varied experiences of ASEAN Member States.
ARMAC’s message was clear: ASEAN does not need a single mine-action model. Countries need practical ways to exchange tested experience, understand the conditions that made it effective and adapt relevant lessons to their own national systems.
Regional cooperation succeeds when knowledge travels across borders while national ownership remains firmly at home.
ARMAC remains committed to helping ASEAN Member States turn national experience into shared regional learning, stronger institutions and safer development outcomes for affected communities.
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ARMAC Permanent Secretariat

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