The Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) on January 20 held a closing ceremony for a week-long mine clearance technology training course for Ukrainian deminers in the Kingdom.

At the ceremony, CMAC director-general Heng Ratana voiced hope that the Ukrainian trainees – all of whom are officials from the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU) – would safely use demining equipment in Ukraine as required.

CMAC affirmed that the trainees received professional real-world training and experience under the guidance of its technical trainers.

“During the training course, the Ukrainian trainees expressed a keen interest and gained a deeper understanding of CMAC specialised forces’ operations on minefields … [including in the use of] devices and mine detection dogs,” it added.

The training was conducted with the support of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The Ukrainian trainees on January 19 also visited the BS/13959(A2'2) minefield in Prey Totoeng village, Chhnal Mann commune, Kors Kralor district, Battambang province.

Pring Panharith, head of the Battambang-based Demining Unit 2 (DU2), welcomed the trainees and delivered a presentation of regional demining forces’ operations and achievements.

The closing ceremony was also attended by Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation permanent secretary of state Ouch Borith, Japanese embassy charge d’affaires Ichitomo Taninan, JICA Tokyo vice-president Katsura Miyazaki, and SESU representative Stanislav Kulykivskyi.