Ukraine is looking forward to expanding cooperation with the Kingdom of Cambodia in the field of humanitarian demining of Ukraine’s territory. In particular, we are interested in Cambodia’s assistance in training Ukrainian demining specialists, finding donors, interaction between relevant state institutions, and exchange of experience in this and many other areas, said Yuliia Svyrydenko, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine, during a video conference with Heng Ratana, Director General of the Cambodian Mine Action Centre.

“Cambodia’s experience in the field of humanitarian demining is very useful for us, we will study it. Ukraine is interested in continuing and expanding training programmes for our deminers, as well as in cooperation in the field of humanitarian demining in other areas. In particular, in exchanging experience in organising the process, prioritising work, attracting donors and mine action operators,” said Yuliia Svyrydenko.

The First Deputy Prime Minister said that today some 3,000 deminers from governmental and non-governmental organisations were surveying areas and clearing and demining them where necessary, with more than 20 demining vehicles involved. Given the scale of the task of clearing Ukrainian territory – some 174,000 square kilometres are considered potentially contaminated – this capacity is clearly insufficient. As a result, the Ukrainian Government is actively working to strengthen the capabilities of mine action operators. According to Yuliia Svyrydenko, the focus is on purchasing or localising the production of the necessary equipment and machinery.

Yuliia Svyrydenko also briefed the Director General of the Cambodian Mine Action Centre on Ukraine’s preparation of its mine action strategy. According to the First Deputy Prime Minister, the document will outline key tasks and provide a roadmap for all parties involved in the mine action process: donors, the international community and official government agencies involved in the response.

The First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine invited experts from Cambodia to participate in the work of the groups developing the strategy, in particular to provide a technical assessment of the document.