Connecting Countries Through a Circle of Learning - Sharing Mine Action Knowledge Across the World

A country that once received assistance grows into a country that supports others through the lessons learned from its own experience. This "chain of learning" represents one of the forms of sustainable international cooperation that JICA strives to promote.

In 1998, Cambodia was home to the largest number of landmine victims in the world. JICA began its cooperation with the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) and has since supported the strengthening of Cambodia's mine action capacity through improvements in mine detection and clearance technologies, human resource development, and institutional and organizational capacity building.

As a result of this long-standing cooperation, CMAC has evolved into an internationally recognized mine action institution that can share its knowledge and experience with other countries. In recent years, under JICA's framework of triangular cooperation, CMAC has been sharing expertise on the operation and maintenance of mine detectors and clearance equipment, organizational and institutional development, and human resource development with countries facing challenges related to landmine and unexploded ordnance (UXO) contamination, including Ukraine, Colombia, Laos, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Somalia, and South Sudan.

To facilitate the exchange of knowledge among countries and organizations engaged in mine action, JICA has been promoting cooperation that transcends regions and borders. Below are some recent examples of these efforts.

In April 2026, during the International Meeting of Mine Action National Directors (NDM) held in Geneva, Switzerland, a workshop was organized jointly by the Office of the Counselor Commissioner for Peace (OCCP), the Ministry of Economy and Environment of Ukraine, and JICA. The initiative originated from Colombia's interest in sharing knowledge with Ukraine through JICA, building on JICA's long-standing cooperation with Colombia. Following discussions at the Ukraine Mine Action Conference (UMAC2025) held in Tokyo in October 2025, the three organizations agreed to launch the collaboration.

During the workshop, Colombia shared its experience in quality management for mine action with Ukraine, while Ukraine presented practical knowledge on information management and donor coordination. Participants expressed strong interest in continuing and expanding this initiative, leading to an agreement to further deepen mutual learning. In May 2026, Ukraine also requested knowledge sharing from Colombia on Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE), resulting in an online session between the two countries.

During the same NDM meeting, JICA also organized a side event entitled “From Shared Contamination to Shared Solutions: Cambodia, Laos and Viet Nam Addressing UXO Issues Together.” The event brought together CMAC, UXO Lao, the Viet Nam National Mine Action Center (VNMAC), and the ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center (ARMAC) to discuss responses to UXO contamination and the importance of regional cooperation.

Cambodia, Laos, and Viet Nam have long faced the common challenge of UXO contamination, including cluster munition remnants. Participants highlighted that country visits and practitioner-level exchanges have been particularly effective in improving and strengthening field operations. The side event built upon the outcomes of a technical workshop on UXO action held in Cambodia in February 2026 involving the three organizations and JICA. JICA will continue supporting technical knowledge exchange among the three organizations to further strengthen regional cooperation.

In June 2026, JICA organized a Senior Management Training Program in Cambodia for senior officials from mine action authorities in Ethiopia, Nigeria, Somalia, and South Sudan. CMAC served as the lead training provider, offering practical learning opportunities through facility visits and interactive discussions.

Participants learned not only technical aspects of mine action, such as Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE), community-based survey methods, and response procedures for explosive hazards, but also broader strategies for linking mine action to regional and socio-economic development and for strengthening organizational management. Throughout the program, participants actively exchanged views on peacebuilding challenges and experiences in their own countries, creating a valuable platform for learning across national and regional boundaries. Participants emphasized that the training provided highly practical knowledge and expressed strong determination to apply the lessons learned to strengthen mine action efforts in their respective countries.

Countries facing the common challenge of landmine and UXO contamination each have unique histories and circumstances. Yet they continue to learn from one another by sharing experiences, lessons learned, and innovative approaches to solving common problems.

The sharing of practical, experience-based knowledge goes beyond the transfer of technical skills. It fosters empathy and trust among countries that have experienced conflict and are working toward similar goals. In doing so, it contributes not only to more effective mine action but also to peacebuilding and sustainable development.

JICA will continue to connect knowledge across countries and regions, strengthening cooperation among people, organizations, and nations in pursuit of a safer and more sustainable world free from the threat of landmines and UXOs.