PHNOM PENH: Pope Francis commended Cambodia’s humanitarian efforts in eradicating landmines and announced that he will send a delegation to participate in the upcoming Siem Reap-Angkor Summit on a Mine-Free World in November.
The Vatican’s confirmation of participation came during a courtesy visit by Senior Minister Ly Thuch, first vice-president of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) and president of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC), also known as the Ottawa Convention, at Vatican City on Saturday (Sept 21), according to the CMAA.
Cambodia is preparing to host the summit and will preside over the Fifth Review Conference of the APMBC in the fourth week of November.
During the meeting, Thuch expressed his gratitude to Pope Francis and the Vatican City State for consistently supporting the country’s social development through religious humanitarian organisations.
As a gesture of goodwill, Pope Francis presented Thuch with a sculpture titled Delicate Flower, created by artist Daniela Fusco.
The artwork was inspired by the Pope’s message for the 2019 World Day of Peace, which likened peace to hope and quoted poet Charles Péguy’s comparison of hope to “a delicate flower struggling to blossom on the stony ground of violence”.
“Pope Francis praised Cambodia for its active participation in humanitarian efforts to eliminate the dangers of landmines worldwide and for supporting victims, especially through its leadership in key Ottawa Convention meetings, which foster a spirit of peace and distance from war,” the CMAA stated.
“Pope Francis emphasised, ‘We must fight for peace, we must fight to help the victims of landmines, and we all need to promote peace,’” it added.
Thuch highlighted that Cambodia is a peace-loving country and is proud to have received support in chairing and organising the summit.
He noted that successfully holding the conference reflects the nation’s capability in leading and managing such a significant global event.
He also expressed his gratitude to the Vatican for supporting the convention and advocating the protection of the planet and the preservation of peace.
Thuch requested that the Vatican continue to support the convention and call on the world to unite in eliminating the suffering caused by landmines, halting their production and use, increasing efforts to clear mined areas and providing assistance to landmine victims. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
