Phnom penh: The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Cambodia and the Phnom Penh-headquartered ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center (ARMAC) have renewed their partnership to enhance knowledge sharing and collaboration on mine action, as announced in a joint press release on Monday.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Alissar Chaker, UNDP resident representative in Cambodia, and Buth Rothna, executive director of ARMAC, signed a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) last Friday. This agreement seeks to boost technical cooperation and knowledge exchange on mine action initiatives.

The collaboration is set to support ARMAC's mission in promoting peace and security while working to reduce landmine and Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) casualties in affected ASEAN member states. The partnership will focus on regional coordination, partnership building, and the sharing of best practices, particularly in advocacy, clearance and land release, victim assistance, and risk education.

Chaker highlighted Cambodia's progress over the past 20 years in mine action management, including policy development, legal frameworks, and public awareness initiatives. She emphasized that Cambodia's accumulated knowledge and expertise are invaluable resources for other mine-affected ASEAN countries and crucial for regional peace and security.

Rothna noted that the MoU embodies the spirit of ASEAN solidarity and a shared commitment to achieving a mine-free region. By leveraging ARMAC's regional mandate and UNDP's global presence, the cooperation is expected to reach new levels of effectiveness across the ASEAN community.

ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) consists of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.