Ly Thuch, president of the Committee on Cooperative Compliance, expressed deep gratitude to the committee’s members, with a special mention of Yevheniia Filipenko, Ukraine’s permanent representative to the UN in Geneva, at a meeting of the committee on September 17.

During the meeting, he acknowledged Ukraine’s active participation in the European Regional Conference on Advancing Victim Assistance and Cooperation, held in Slovenia in August, and emphasised the importance of continuing updates on mine clearance efforts amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, according to a press release from the committee the same day.

Thuch, also first vice-president of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA), highlighted the importance of the Ottawa Convention and called on relevant stakeholders to find ways to support Ukraine as contamination from mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) increases due to the current war.

Filipenko praised the Convention’s efforts and reaffirmed Ukraine's commitment to fulfilling its obligations under it. She acknowledged that mine clearance is essential for helping civilians return to their daily lives and called for global assistance.

She said Ukraine needs support from Cambodia as the country is experienced in mine action, and appreciated the wider backing from all state parties.

Thuch confirmed the Convention’s dedication to working alongside Ukraine, recognising its role in the upcoming Fifth Review Conference. The Siem Reap-Angkor Action Plan, he noted, has been developed with careful consideration to ensure that it is both practical and actionable in addressing these urgent challenges.

The committee is a body established under the Ottawa Convention, also known as the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Treaty, to oversee and support the implementation of commitments related to mine clearance and victim assistance, ensuring that member states comply with their obligations to address the impact of mines and ERW.