Cambodia Reaffirms Commitment to Mine-Free Future at National Meeting

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Oct.17, 2025) — Cambodia renewed its pledge to achieve a future free of landmines and explosive remnants of war during a national meeting of the Technical Working Group on Mine Action held Thursday in Phnom Penh.

The meeting, chaired by Senior Minister Ly Thuch, first vice president of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority, was held on behalf of Prime Minister Hun Manet, who also serves as the authority’s president. The event was themed “Collective Efforts Toward a Mine/ERW-Impact-Free Cambodia.”

Senior officials, including Agriculture Minister Dith Tina and United Nations Development Program Resident Representative Enrico Gaveglia, joined representatives from government ministries, donor countries, development partners, mine action operators, civil society groups and the private sector.

In opening remarks, Thuch thanked national and international partners for more than three decades of support. Since 1992, Cambodia has cleared more than 3,400 square kilometers of contaminated land and destroyed over 4.4 million landmines and explosive remnants. Casualties have dropped to fewer than 100 annually over the past five years.

He reaffirmed the government’s goal of reaching mine-free status under Hun Manet’s leadership and called for continued international support.

He also highlighted the role of mine clearance in agricultural development. Since 2018, more than 65% of cleared land has been converted to productive use, improving rural livelihoods and food security.

“Collective efforts have turned once-dangerous minefields into fertile farmland that sustains our communities,” he said.

Addressing recent tensions along the Cambodia-Thailand border, Ly reiterated Cambodia’s commitment to the Ottawa Convention banning anti-personnel mines.

“Cambodia has not, and will never deploy new anti-personnel mines,” he said, calling recent accusations unfounded.

Gaveglia described the working group as a vital platform for advancing Cambodia’s mine action goals. He praised operators for their dedication and noted that landmines continue to threaten development, security and local economies.

He cited UNDP’s long-standing partnership with Cambodia, including the clearance of 418 square kilometers of land — about 16% of the national total — benefiting more than 1.3 million people. He also emphasized the broader scope of mine action, including victim assistance, risk education and community restoration.

Tina expressed appreciation for donor support and said the Agriculture Ministry plans to sign an agreement with the mine action authority to prioritize land clearance for farming.
“We aim to turn former minefields into green, productive land for farming,” he said, adding that cleared land is essential for farmers’ livelihoods and national food security.

Participants praised Cambodia’s progress and reaffirmed support for a mine-free future. They backed the authority’s leadership and expressed support for Cambodia’s third extension request under the Ottawa Convention and the development of the National Mine Action Policy for 2026–2035.

Stakeholders agreed that mine action is not just about clearance — it is the foundation for long-term national development.