Cambodia has outlined bold support for the Ottawa Convention, the treaty against landmines, and called on other countries to join and fully adhere to its principle for humanitarian purposes.
On behalf of the Royal Government of Cambodia, Senior Minister H.E. Dr. Ly Thuch, First Vice President of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA), who is also the President of the 2024 Ottawa Convention, delivered the statement at the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly First Committee on Disarmament and International Security in New York on Oct. 8.
When hosting the 5th Review Meeting of the Ottawa Convention or the Siem Reap-Angkor Summit on a Mine-Free World late this year, Cambodia will adopt the action plan to guide effective implementation of the treaty for 2025-2029, he said.
Being a striving victim of landmines that killed and injured more than 65,000 people and hindered the country’s socio-economic development for decades, Cambodia considers actions against silent killer
s as a humanitarian obligation to renew hope and alter the destiny of mine-affected people and communities.
With that, he added, Cambodia is deeply committed to supporting the implementation of the mine-ban convention and mobilising more assistance for the countries in need.
H.E. Dr. Ly Thuch urged all the state parties of the convention around the world to continue supporting the treaty’s principles, starting with voting in favour of the UN resolution on its implementation.
He also encouraged the non-state parties of the convention to consider joining the mine-ban network during the upcoming Siem Reap-Angkor Summit on a Mine-Free World.
Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse