(Phnom Penh): The ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center (ARMAC), in partnership with the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD), convened the Regional Workshop on Strengthening Information Management for Humanitarian Mine Action in ASEAN from 10 to 12 August 2026 in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The regional workshop brought together representatives from ASEAN Member States, National Mine Action Authorities (NMAAs), Mine Action Centres (MACs), the ASEAN Secretariat, ASEAN Centres, humanitarian mine action operators, technical experts, regional partners, and international mine action and humanitarian organizations, including the AHA Centre, US Army Humanitarian Demining Program, GIZ, Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), Mines Advisory Group (MAG), APOPO, The HALO Trust, Humanity and Inclusion (HI), the Mine Action Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ANAMA), the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine, the Lebanon Mine Action Center (LMAC), and the Implementation Support Unit of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC-ISU), to strengthen cooperation and advance information management for humanitarian mine action across ASEAN.
Conducted with the valued support of the Governments of Canada and Switzerland, the workshop provided a regional platform for participants to exchange national experiences, identify common challenges and priority needs, and explore practical opportunities for strengthening information management cooperation for humanitarian mine action across ASEAN.
Across many affected communities, information management remains far more than a technical process. Reliable and coordinated information systems play a critical role in helping authorities and operators better understand contamination, prioritize assistance, strengthen coordination, and support safer futures for communities affected by explosive ordnance.
The workshop focused on enhancing data management practices, promoting interoperability, strengthening regional coordination, and contributing to regional consultations toward the establishment of the ASEAN Mine Action Information Management (AIM) Hub, an ASEAN-led regional initiative envisioned to support coordination, technical cooperation, knowledge-sharing, and evidence-based decision-making across ASEAN Member States while complementing existing national systems.
The proposed ASEAN AIM Hub reflects ASEAN’s commitment to strengthen regional cooperation, resilience, interoperability, and evidence-based coordination in addressing humanitarian challenges across the region.
Throughout the three-day programme, participants engaged in technical sessions, country dialogues, group exercises, and regional consultation discussions covering topics such as:
- Information management standards and minimum data requirements;
- Operational and institutional challenges in humanitarian mine action information management;
- Interoperability and data-sharing considerations;
- Governance and coordination mechanisms;
- Digital systems and regional information-sharing practices;
- Design considerations for the ASEAN AIM Hub;
- Development considerations for a regional information management guideline framework; and
- Inputs and priorities toward a possible regional roadmap for strengthening humanitarian mine action information management cooperation across ASEAN.
Explosive Ordnance (EO) affected ASEAN Member States shared national experiences, operational realities, and priority needs related to information management systems and coordination mechanisms. ASEAN regional partners and international mine action actors also contributed broader perspectives on digital coordination systems, interoperability, and regional cooperation frameworks.
The workshop further benefited from the technical expertise and contributions of GICHD, particularly in relation to international information management practices, operational workflows, interoperability considerations, and emerging regional approaches relevant to humanitarian mine action. Technical partners, including the US Army Humanitarian Demining Program, also contributed practical perspectives and experience to the regional dialogue.
In his opening remarks, Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary General of ASEAN, underscored the importance of making prudent and strategic investments in information management, particularly at a time when global resources for humanitarian mine action are increasingly constrained.
“Globally, resources for humanitarian mine action are dwindling as donor priorities shift towards other, more active crises. Resource allocation must therefore be prudent, and investing in information management is a wise choice, precisely because it is cost-efficient now and stands to have a long-term impact,” he stated.
Rothna Buth, Executive Director of ARMAC, emphasized the people-centred purpose of strengthening information management and the importance of collective commitment among ASEAN Member States in advancing a shared regional vision.
“Behind every dataset, map, and coordination system are real communities waiting for safer land, safer schools, and safer futures. Strengthening information management is not only about technology, it is about improving coordination, building trust, supporting informed decisions, and ensuring that humanitarian action reaches the people who need it most. What makes this initiative meaningful is the collective commitment demonstrated by all eleven ASEAN Member States walking together on this journey, sharing experiences, listening to one another, and working side by side toward a common vision of peace, safety, resilience, and human security for our region. This workshop reflects the spirit of ASEAN solidarity and our shared responsibility to leave no community behind,” she stated.
The workshop concluded with a set of key regional considerations and practical recommendations to support future discussions on the ASEAN AIM Hub, regional coordination mechanisms, and the continued strengthening of information management practices across ASEAN.
ARMAC also expresses its sincere appreciation to GICHD for its partnership, technical expertise, and continued collaboration in supporting this important regional initiative. ARMAC further extends its deep appreciation to the ASEAN Secretariat, ASEAN Centres, the Government of Switzerland, the Government of Canada, the US Army Humanitarian Demining Program, humanitarian demining operators, technical partners, and all contributing stakeholders whose financial, technical, and operational support helped make this regional workshop possible.
Most importantly, ARMAC extends its sincere appreciation to all participants whose remarkable active engagement made these three days meaningful and productive. Their openness in sharing experiences, challenges, lessons learned and practical ideas was central to the success of the workshop. This regional journey would not be possible without their participation, contributions and shared commitment to moving forward together.
Beyond the technical outcomes, the workshop also reflected something deeply meaningful for ASEAN, the shared understanding that humanitarian challenges cannot be addressed alone. Progress becomes possible when countries, institutions, technical partners and communities work together with trust, solidarity and a shared commitment to protecting lives and supporting those most affected.
ARMAC reaffirmed its continued commitment to supporting ASEAN’s vision and priorities, including the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Blueprint and the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, through strengthened regional cooperation, technical collaboration, and people-centred humanitarian action.
About ARMAC:
The ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center (ARMAC) is a regional center of excellence established by ASEAN Leaders in 2012 under the ASEAN framework. ARMAC supports Member States in addressing the humanitarian and developmental impacts of explosive ordnance (EO). It fosters regional cooperation, strengthens technical capacities, and provides expertise to help affected communities recover from the effects of war and move forward in peace and security.
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