CMAA first-vice president Ly Thuch meets with Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana on January 23. CMAA
In a bid to expand support for the Ottawa Convention, Ly Thuch, first vice-president of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA), urged senior UN officials to rally nations in the Asia-Pacific region.
This call to action was presented during his meeting with Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, undersecretary-general of the UN and executive secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP) on January 22.
Thuch, representing Prime Minister Hun Manet who also chairs the CMAA, appealed to UN-ESCAP to assist in encouraging regional countries yet to become signatories to the Ottawa Convention to join.
The call coincides with Cambodia’s role as current chair of the convention and upcoming host of the Siem Reap-Angkor Summit on a Mine-Free World, scheduled for November 25-29.
“For over 30 years, the government has diligently cleared mines and explosive remnants of war [ERW]. Cambodia is now among 30 countries globally that have successfully cleared areas of landmines and unexploded ordnance [UXO],” he said.
“The government collaborates with development partners and stakeholders to collectively pursue the shared objective of demining in Cambodia, aiming to transform the nation into a mine-free state by 2025,” he said.
“I have sought UN-ESCAP’s assistance in globalising the Ottawa Convention. This involves fostering Cambodia’s collaboration with nations across the Asia-Pacific, encouraging their support and active participation in the treaty,” he said.
In a January 23 press release following the meeting, Alisjahbana commended Cambodia for its role as chair and host of the upcoming 2024 review meeting of the Ottawa Convention.
She expressed a commitment to maintaining collaboration with the government and supporting Cambodia in its endeavours.
The CMAA actively engages with existing ESCAP programmes and initiatives related to disarmament, security and humanitarian work. It collaborates to integrate discussions and activities concerning the Ottawa Convention within these frameworks.
Additionally, the CMAA actively collaborates with NGOs and civil society groups participating in arms reduction and benevolent initiatives. Leveraging their influence and resources, the CMAA strives for the universal adoption of the Ottawa Convention.
Thuch is currently chairing the Ottawa Convention Commission meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, which extends from January 22-27.
In parallel, he is actively participating in meetings with the Implementation Support Unit (ISU) working group and engaging with ambassadors to secure additional support for the Ottawa Convention.
