Jakarta, 4 April 2022 (TDI): The US Mission to ASEAN released a statement regarding its efforts for landmine and unexploded ordnance clearance. The statement was released on the occasion of International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action.
The United Nations’ International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action is observed on April 4 every year with the aim to raise awareness about landmines and progress toward their eradication.
According to the US Mission to ASEAN, the United States has “invested more than $738M in the Indo-Pacific for landmine & unexploded ordnance clearance. Our investments have saved lives and deepened ties with partners”.
Moreover, millions of square kilometers of confirmed hazardous areas in Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam were marked and identified to prevent casualties.
Likewise, 2,526 anti-personnel mines and 51 anti-tank mines were destroyed in these three countries and millions of square kilometers of the land of Cambodia, Laos, Palau, and Vietnam were released for safe and productive use.
The statement further claimed that 96,015 items of UXO and abandoned ordnance were destroyed in the four mentioned nations.
10,681 explosive ordnance disposal callouts were conducted in these countries in response to urgent requests for suspected UXO to be investigated and rendered safe.
More than 6000 pieces of small arms ammunition were destroyed in Vietnam. 46.0 metric tons of excess munitions were destroyed in Cambodia.
US-ASEAN Relations
The United States began relations with ASEAN as a dialogue partner in 1977. Since then, it has cooperated with ASEAN on various fronts.
From the early 1990s, development cooperation increased through the launch of economic programs focusing on trade and investment, technology transfer, and education.
The United States was the first non-ASEAN country to name an Ambassador to ASEAN in 2008. In June 2010, the United States became the first non-ASEAN country to establish a dedicated Mission to ASEAN in Jakarta.
In 2011 the first resident Ambassador to ASEAN was appointed. Major areas of partnership between the United States and ASEAN include economic integration, maritime cooperation, emerging leaders, opportunities for women, and transnational challenges.
