Cambodia has reaffirmed its strong commitment to safeguarding the humanitarian integrity of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, also known as the Ottawa Convention, while continuing to position itself as a key advocate for the Convention’s humanitarian principles on the international stage.
Ly Tuch, first vice-president of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA), announced that he held an online meeting today with Eunice M. Tembo Luambia, ambassador and permanent representative of Zambia to the UN in Geneva and president of the 23rd Meeting of States Parties to the Ottawa Convention, together with the Convention’s Implementation Support Unit (ISU).
In a social media post, Thuch explained that he stressed Cambodia’s long-standing compliance with the convention and its substantive contributions to global mine action, while underscoring that the treaty must continue to serve as a humanitarian instrument.
“I emphasised Cambodia’s long-term adherence to the Convention and its significant contributions to global mine action, while reaffirming that the Convention must remain humanitarian in nature,” he said.
Referring to allegations raised by other parties, Tuch said Cambodia consistently addresses issues through dialogue and cooperation conducted in good faith, and highlighted the importance of safeguarding the authority, credibility and integrity of the convention.
Drawing on its experience as one of the countries on Earth most severely affected by landmines, Cambodia reaffirmed its commitment to peace, multilateral cooperation and a mine-free world, grounded in respect for international law.
Thuch affirmed that Cambodia stands ready to provide full support and close cooperation to ensure the success of Zambia’s presidency of the Ottawa Convention, as state parties continue to face humanitarian, technical and political challenges in global mine action efforts.
