Ly Thuch, first vice-president of the Cambodia Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) and president of the 2024 Ottawa Convention, headed to Geneva, Switzerland, on February 27 for a preparatory meeting and to secure funds for the Siem Reap-Angkor Summit on a Mine Free World, the convention’s 5th review conference.

Thuch will also lead several other important discussions, including the Committee on Cooperative Compliance, Coordinating Committee and Global Coordinating Working Group assemblies.

According to a CMAA press release on February 27, Thuch will lead the resource mobilisation conference, focused on obtaining financial support for activities planned under the convention in 2024.

“The preparatory meeting for the [summit] is organised to update the states parties and relevant organisations on the progress of the event, which Cambodia is proud to host,” Thuch was quoted as saying.

He also plans to engage with various ambassadors in Geneva to garner support for Cambodia’s chairmanship and hosting of the event. His agenda includes meetings with representatives who are not yet members of the convention, aiming to bolster global participation.

Thuch’s Geneva mission will run through March 7.

Cambodia is set to host the 2024 Ottawa Convention’s fifth review conference from November 25-29 in Siem Reap province, to be attended by Prime Minister Hun Manet.