AKP Phnom Penh, October 22, 2026 —

ASEAN has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening regional and international cooperation to prevent and combat the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons, while supporting efforts to address the humanitarian impacts of landmines and explosive remnants of war.

The commitment was highlighted by H.E. Keo Chhea, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Cambodia to the United Nations (UN), in a statement delivered on behalf of ASEAN during the discussion on “Conventional Weapons” at the First Committee on Disarmament and International Security at the UN Headquarters in New York on Oct. 21.

In his statement, the Ambassador underscored the importance of enhanced information exchange and capacity-building to strengthen collective efforts to prevent and combat the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons.

He also highlighted ASEAN’s support for the work of the ASEAN Regional Mine Action Centre (ARMAC) in addressing the humanitarian consequences of landmines and explosive remnants of war.

By C. Nika