The Siem Reap-Angkor Summit on a Mine-Free World officially kicked off this morning under the high chairmanship of Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia.
In his keynote address, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet said that in an era marked by escalating armed conflict and geopolitical confrontations, it is essential to recognise the enduring devastation caused by these destructive weapons, particularly anti-personnel mines. These deadly devices continue to harm and kill innocent civilians even though wars have ceased.
“Today’s summit offers us a crucial opportunity to reflect on our progress, address emerging challenges, and chart a future that ensures the continued relevance and success of the Ottawa Convention in this increasingly uncertain world,” he said.
A land that hosts magnificent heritage such as Angkor Wat Temple saw some of the most heartbreaking tragedies, including a series of carpet bombings, genocide, and decades of civil war. Millions of Cambodian lives were lost, and thousands of square kilometres of Cambodian land became littered with landmines and other explosive remnants of war.
H.E. Senior Minister Ly Thuch, First Vice President of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) and President of Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention said this summit is an occasion that reflects Cambodia’s shared determination to rid the world of the cruel and lingering legacy of landmines.
“This Summit, fittingly named the Siem Reap-Angkor Summit on a Mine-Free World, is not just a meeting of nations but a collective reaffirmation of our unwavering commitment to peace, human dignity, and solidarity. Together, we stand at the crossroads of history, where the painful memories of conflict are being replaced by a future built on hope, resilience, and peace,” he stressed.
For 25 years, he continued, this Convention has been a beacon of hope for millions around the world. It has saved lives, restored communities, and enabled families to reclaim their futures. But it has also done something more—it has brought the world together in a shared mission to uphold the dignity of life. Together, we have proven that even the darkest legacies of war can be overcome when we unite under the banner of peace.
According to H.E. Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP), H.E. Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General congratulated Cambodia on hosting this important Summit and for this country’s inspiring progress in eliminating this once pervasive threat.
By sharing her experience and contributing expert deminers to UN peacekeeping missions, Cambodia is demonstrating how mine action can build lasting peace, she said.
H.E. Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana said anti-personnel mines represent a clear and present danger for civilians. Even after fighting stops, these horrifying and indiscriminate weapons can remain, trapping generations of people in fear.
The pioneering Convention under discussion today represents our solemn commitment to end the legacy of destruction from landmines, she stated.
For 25 years, it has driven important progress, with over 55 million anti-personnel devices destroyed across 13,000 square kilometres in over 60 countries, and thousands of people receiving lifesaving awareness education and victim assistance services.
