Laos urged to join Ottawa mine convention

Source:  The Star (Myannmar), February 12, 2024

Phnom Penh - Ly Thuch, first vice-president of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA), has requested that Laos join the Ottawa Convention as the 165th state party, pledging that the kingdom will support Laos’ mine clearance efforts and adherence to the convention.

Thuch, who will chair the 5th Review Conference of the Mine Ban Convention (Ottawa Convention) 2024, set to be held in Siem Reap province in November, made the suggestion during a Feb 5 working meeting at CMAA headquarters with Lao ambassador to Cambodia, Buakeo Phumvongsay.

“In the event that Laos joins the convention, Cambodia will mobilise resources and seek cooperation and assistance from development partners and donors to support Laos’ demining activities. We will be committed to supporting Laos so it can comply with the standards of the Ottawa Convention,” he said via a social media post.

He added that the ambassador congratulated Cambodia on being elected chair and host of the fifth review conference and shared his appreciation to the kingdom’s efforts as chair.

He added that he will report Thuch’s request to the Lao government for further consideration.

The November convention is expected to be a major international event, with guests from all around the world set to attend the function, which will promote a mine-free world.

In late January, Thuch led a Cambodian delegation to Geneva, Switzerland to attend a series of meetings to plan for the coming Siem Reap summit and the preparation of the Siem Reap- Angkor statement and action plan.

The summit will be attended by representatives of many of the 164 member states of the Ottawa Convention, key partners, representatives of several major international organisations and other relevant institutions.

The ambassador informed Thuch that a Lao delegation is preparing to attend the conference.