The Philippines has assumed the chairship of the Steering Committee of the ASEAN Regional Mine Action Centre (ARMAC), marking Manila’s leadership role in advancing regional cooperation on mine action and addressing explosive remnants of war (ERW).
According to a Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) news release, the transition took place on January 22 at the 24th Steering Committee Meeting in Cambodia’s capital, where outgoing chair Malaysian Ambassador Shaharuddin bin Onn formally handed the symbolic gavel to Philippine Ambassador Flerida Ann Camille P. Mayo.
“On behalf of the ARMAC Steering Committee, I extend my heartfelt thanks to Ambassador Shaharuddin for his outstanding leadership that brought greater cohesion, clarity and convergence to our work,” Mayo said during the ceremony.
“The Philippines looks forward to building on Malaysia’s initiatives to fulfill ARMAC mandates, always in the ASEAN spirit of consultation, cooperation and consensus,” she added.
ARMAC, an ASEAN-established center of excellence headquartered in Phnom Penh, supports regional efforts to deal with the humanitarian and developmental impact of ERW. Its programs focus on risk awareness, victim assistance, and knowledge-sharing among member states.
As chair, the Philippines will guide the Steering Committee’s oversight functions and work closely with the ARMAC Permanent Secretariat in shaping priorities and strengthening regional collaboration under the broader framework of ASEAN cooperation.