Phnom Penh, 14^th March 2024: The European Union Ambassador to Cambodia, Mr. Igor Driesmans, and the Minister of Mines and Energy, H.E. Mr. Keo Rottanak, jointly inaugurated seven new gamma dose rate monitoring stations across the Cambodian capital and borderline provinces. These will bolster national capabilities for early response, safeguarding public health and safety, and environmental protection. The event marked the official handover of eight MIRA Gamma Dose Rate Monitoring Systems to the Kingdom of Cambodia. This is part of an EU-ASEAN partnership to strengthen regional cooperation on radiological and nuclear Emergency Preparedness and Response (EP&R) in ASEAN in accordance with best international practices.

Through this ASEAN partnership, and in close coordination with the ASEAN Network of Regulatory Bodies on Atomic Energy (ASEANTOM), Cambodia installed seven of these systems in environmental radiation monitoring stations in Phnom Penh, Ratanakiri, Oddar Meanchey, Koh Kong, Preah Sihanouk, Kampot and Kep, with a spare system standby for replacement.

The MIRA Gamma Dose Rate Monitoring Systems, equipped with state-of-the-art technology and expertise, are made in Germany by Scienta Envinet and designed to measure gamma radiation levels in various environmental settings accurately. Each station is connected to Cambodia’s central EWRMN[1] Monitoring and Management Centre, hosted by the Department of Nuclear Science and Technology (DONST) of the General Department for Energy within the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME). Each station provides real-time data for timely decision-making and effective management of radiological events or emergencies at both national and regional levels through the ASEAN Radiological Data Exchange Platform (ARDEP) hosted by the Office of Atoms for Peace in Thailand, a similar tool as the European Radiological Data Exchange Platform (EURDEP). Additionally, training sessions conducted by European experts will enable Cambodian personnel to efficiently operate and maintain the equipment, ensuring its sustained functionality and reliability.

Speaking at the ceremony, EU Ambassador to Cambodia, Igor Driesmans, emphasised the importance of emergency preparedness, including in the context of environmental radiation monitoring, in safeguarding communities and ecosystems: “This initiative reflects the EU’s commitment to improving emergency preparedness, response capabilities, and coordination to effectively address health and ecosystem threats at both national and international level. From various nuclear disasters to the recent COVID-19 pandemic, the lesson we learned is clear: we need to be prepared and build our capabilities for detection of risks and early response. We are pleased to support Cambodia’s efforts to build this capability for emergency preparedness and to contribute to strengthening the country’s capacity for managing peaceful use of and environmental radiation protection.”

Minister of Mines and Energy, H.E. Keo Rottanak, emphasised that the “establishment of these stations in Cambodia advances our commitment to nuclear safety, safeguarding our environment and protecting our citizens from the harmful effects of radiation in case of nuclear accidents or radiological emergencies occurring in the region. With the increasing use of nuclear technology and the potential for radiation exposure, we must have the necessary infrastructure in place to monitor and assess radiation levels in our surroundings. The equipment we inaugurate today empowers us with real-time data, enabling proactive decisions to safeguard public health and the environment. ”

This ceremony also highlights the EU’s commitment to supporting Cambodia's efforts to build resilient infrastructure and foster sustainable development, aiming to connect the world through strategic investments and reliable partnerships.

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For further information, please contact Ms. Phalkun CHAN, Press and Information Officer of the EU Delegation, Tel. 023 220 611 or E-mail: Phalkun.CHAN@eeas.europa.eu

+ Ministry of Mines and Energy press contact: Mr. LEK Vansopanha, Director of Department of Nuclear Science and Technology of the Ministry of Mines and Energy Tel. +85577412432

[1] Early Warning Radiation Monitoring Network