(Phnom Penh): The ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center (ARMAC) and Humanity & Inclusion (HI) have formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen technical and resource mobilisation cooperation in support of humanitarian mine action across ASEAN Member States, according to the press release seen by Fresh News on Friday (Feb. 27).
Grounded in the principles of the ASEAN Political-Security Community Blueprint 2025 and the ASEAN Community Vision, the MoU establishes a structured yet flexible framework for collaboration between ARMAC and HI. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to a peaceful, resilient, and people-centred ASEAN Community, where communities affected by landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) can live in safety and dignity.
The agreement provides a platform for non-exclusive and non-binding cooperation in key areas including technical exchange, capacity strengthening, research collaboration, innovation, victim assistance–related facilitation and coordinated resource mobilisation. The partnership reinforces ARMAC’s regional coordination role and leverages HI’s long-standing expertise in humanitarian mine action, disability inclusion, and integrated victim assistance.
In line with ARMAC’s Strategic Orientation 2023–2027, which emphasizes becoming a centre of excellence, enhancing regional knowledge-sharing, and integrating sustainable development principles into mine action, this collaboration aims to: (a) strengthen technical capacities among interested ASEAN Member States, (b) promote inclusive and rights-based approaches to victim assistance, (c) facilitate innovation and appropriate technologies in mine action, (d) enhance awareness and advocacy at regional and national levels and (e) support sustainable, coordinated resource mobilisation efforts.
Speaking on the occasion, Rothna Buth, Executive Director of ARMAC, emphasized, “This cooperation reflects our shared commitment to advancing humanitarian mine action in the ASEAN region. Through knowledge exchange, innovation, and strengthened partnerships, we aim to enhance regional coordination and contribute to sustainable, people-centred solutions for communities affected by landmines and ERW.”
Gilles Nouzies, Regional Director, Southeast Asia, Humanity & Inclusion, stated, “Humanity & Inclusion values its collaboration with ARMAC in promoting inclusive and sustainable mine action efforts in ASEAN. This MoU provides a framework for sharing technical expertise and strengthening cooperation to better serve affected communities.”
Under the framework of the MoU, ARMAC and HI may jointly undertake activities such as technical dialogues, experience sharing, research collaboration, training initiatives, and the exploration of innovative tools and methodologies tailored to regional needs. All activities will be subject to mutual agreement, resource availability, and alignment with national priorities and ASEAN principles.
By combining ARMAC’s regional mandate with HI’s operational and technical expertise, the partnership seeks to contribute meaningfully to strengthening institutional capacity, enhancing cross-sector collaboration, and ensuring that mine action efforts remain inclusive, sustainable, and responsive to the evolving needs of affected communities.
This collaboration represents an important step toward reinforcing ASEAN’s collective efforts to address the humanitarian impact of landmines and ERW-supporting peace, resilience, and sustainable development across the region.
About ARMACThe ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center (ARMAC) was established following the ASEAN Leaders’ Statement in 2012 and inaugurated in 2016. Based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, ARMAC serves as a regional centre of excellence under the ASEAN Political-Security Community, addressing the humanitarian impacts of landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) in interested ASEAN Member States. ARMAC promotes regional cooperation through knowledge sharing, awareness initiatives, research, and facilitation of victim assistance–related and capacity-building efforts in support of a safer and more inclusive ASEAN Community.
About Handicap International (Humanity & Inclusion)Humanity & Inclusion (HI), known as Handicap International, is an independent and impartial international non-governmental aid organisation born in Cambodia in 1982, working in situations of poverty, exclusion, conflict, and disaster. HI supports people with disabilities and vulnerable groups, by taking action and bearing witness in order to respond to their essential needs, to improve their living conditions and promote respect for their dignity and fundamental rights through inclusive and sustainable approaches, including humanitarian mine action, rehabilitation, social inclusion, and protection initiatives.
Media ContactsASEAN Regional Mine Action Center (ARMAC)Email: [email protected] Website: www.aseanmineaction.org (http://www.aseanmineaction.org/)
Handicap International (Humanity & Inclusion) - HIEmail: [email protected]: www.hi.org=FRESH NEWS