The Ministry of National Defence has kicked-off its 4th landmine clearance training for international instructors in cooperation with the UN peacekeeping mission.
The training which began on March 10 serves to raise the trainees’ skill levels and techniques. The launch of the training was presided over by Defence Minister Tea Banh and UN Resident Coordinator in Cambodia Pauline Tamesis at the Peace Palace.
On the Ministry of National Defence’s website, Sem Sovanny, the director-general of the Institute for Peacekeeping Forces, Mines and Explosive Remnants of War Clearance said the training would last 19 days, between March 9 to March 27.
The purpose of the training is to support the UN peacekeeping mission and implement its standard data management system in landmine clearance and national mine clearance procedures.
The training also aims to take the experiences and knowledge of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) and spread the lessons learnt nationally and internationally.
Sovanny said the trainers include officials from international authorities including those from France, India, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia, Nepal, Bangladesh and the Philippines.
According to the website, Tamesis said participation in the UN’s peacekeeping mission is a great investment for social security and peace.
“This training has been accomplished by continued cooperation between the UN and Asean,” she said, and expressed her appreciation for Cambodia’s continued commitment to peacekeeping initiatives.
Banh said the training is provided in cooperation with the French government and allowed the trainers to share experiences, knowledge and techniques on explosive clearance. He said it would result in a more effective approach to clearing landmines.
“The Cambodian government and the Ministry of National Defence understand the importance of this training in building human resources within the UN peacekeeping mission,” he said.
Cambodian forces, he said, had training like this to thank for the continuous successes they had in the explosive clearance field, which has been acknowledged on the international stage.
Banh said Cambodia is setting an example in peacekeeping activities, evidenced by its continued relevance in the international arena.
Cambodia has sent 6,271 army personnel, including 315 women, to join UN missions in Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Lebanon, Mali and Central Africa.
