Cambodia hosts first multilateral operational training exercise on mine clearance
Cambodia is hosting the first multinational operational exercise at the Humanitarian Mine Action Field within the framework of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus under the theme “Pure Homeland-2023”.
Participants of the first international Humanitarian Mine Action Field Training Exercise (Photo: khmertimeskh.com)
Phnom Penh (VNA) ﷽- Cambodia is hosting the first multinationaloperational exercise at the Humanitarian Mine Action Field within the frameworkof the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus under the theme “PureHomeland-2023”.
The first-of-its-kindmultinational event, which will last for 10 days, began on September 13 at theNational Peacekeeping Forces Training Centre in Phnom Sruoch district ofKampong Speu province, with the participation of 450 officers and soldiers from14 countries. General Sem Sovanny,Vice Chairman of the National Committee and Director General of Cambodia's NationalPeacekeeping Training Centre, said that though the centre has hosted severalevents, it is for the time that it is hosting an international trainingexercise on humanitarian mine action field. This is the first time Cambodia has hosted the exercise,co-chaired by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army. The multinational exercisewas carefully designed to exchange experiences under the auspices of theChinese Friends and the 14-nation multinational forces, namely Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea,Laos, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, the US, and Vietnam. Thisexercise will be an important contribution to the journey towards alandmine-free Cambodia in 2025, especially in support of Hun Sen’s initiativeto “provide safe land, create a smile”. During thetraining, participants will have a study tour to potential tourist sites inCambodia as well as humanitarian work in addition to training in the field./.
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