SIEM REAP, 14 November 2018 – The ASEAN Regional Mine Action Centre (ARMAC) held its inaugural Regional Workshop in Siem Reap on 12 – 14 November, aiming to enhance mine action knowledge and promote future platforms for mine action knowledge sharing among ASEAN Member States.
About 100 international and national participants composed of ASEAN Member States (AMS), ASEAN universities, development partners and mine action organisations attended this first regional event hosted by ARMAC.
Speaking at the event, Ly Panharith, Executive Director of ARMAC, said that, “the event was an opportunity to exchange the accumulated mine/explosive remnants of war (ERW) knowledge of AMS and other participants, and to assess the needs of the AMS for ARMAC to organise future events and develop programmes to address the problems of mines/ERW in the ASEAN region.”
An ASEAN focused event
ARMAC’s Regional Workshop was a three-day event featuring panel sessions on a range of topics, both historic and comparatively new to the mine/ERW sector. Topics of discussion covered such diverse areas as gender, new and innovative technologies, strategies to enhance assistance provided to mine survivors, as well as methods to generate greater awareness of the dangers of mines/ERW.
One session at the workshop highlighted how diligent efforts in the clearing of mines and ensuring the reintegration of their victims had a significant positive impact on a country’s socioeconomic development. At the national level of some affected AMS, such endeavours invariably contribute to the achievement of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.
More practical efforts were also highlighted, such as presentations on how the use of pioneering technology, including trained rats and dogs, could greatly advance the efficiency and safety of mine clearance operations. The need to consider gender mainstreaming in the sector was also an important conclusion arising from the workshop with presenters highlighting how mines/ERW accidents often have disparate effects on men and women, such as their access to medical care and employment programmes.
Additionally, the latest trends in mine action research and development were further showcased as participants explored both viable technology as well as how the introduction of a social science and humanities perspective could lead to new insights in mine action research. Moving further afield from the ASEAN region, a session on international cooperation and assistance helped to expound the global impact of mines/ERW and illustrate to attendees why a systematic international framework could lead to increased partnership across different countries.
As Cambodia is the host country of ARMAC, with headquarters in Phnom Penh,
the workshop also underscored Cambodia’s support to enable ARMAC to effectively operationalise and enhance the collaboration between Cambodia and ARMAC in mine action.
Further, the workshop included a visit to the Cambodia Mine Action Centre’s peace museum and training facility where participants had the opportunity to learn about Cambodia’s long history with mines/ERW and how the country has sought to reduce their overall impact.
The context of ARMAC
The idea for an ASEAN focused mine action centre was first proposed and adopted at the 21st ASEAN Summit by the ASEAN leaders who envisioned an organisation that could encourage cooperation among the AMS in tackling the shared problem of mines/ERW.
As an ASEAN entity and with its mandates focusing on enhancing mine risk education, facilitating victim assistance and assisting in research and knowledge sharing, ARMAC is in a prime position to support the interested ASEAN Member States in addressing the effects of landmines and other explosive remnants of war.
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For more information, please contact:
Mr. Pav Kea
016 799 447
023 221 354
kea@mineaction.org
www.aseanmineaction.org
