Despite Cambodia having achieved major successes, landmine-related challenges persist. They remain complex and highly dangerous — particularly in areas along the Cambodia–Thailand border — requiring Cambodia to continue intensifying its efforts, strengthening partnerships and mobilising additional resources.
Senior Minister Ly Thuch, first vice-president of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA), explained the situation during a working meeting with Christian Angelo DesRoches, Canadian ambassador to Cambodia, on Monday, December 15, at the CMAA headquarters in Phnom Penh.
Thuch expressed his pride in Cambodia’s achievements in mine clearance over more than 30 years. To date, more than 3,000 square kilometres of land has been cleared of landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERWs), allowing civilians to safely use the land productively. These accomplishments have transformed former mine-contaminated areas into agricultural land, contributing to improved livelihoods for local communities.
He also conveyed deep gratitude to the government and people of Canada for their contributions to Cambodia’s development, particularly their support for humanitarian mine action in Cambodia — especially through the results-based mine clearance projects implemented by the CMAA.
Thuch noted that Canada has been a long-term partner of Cambodia in the mine action sector.
He requested that Canada consider continuing its support for the government’s efforts to achieve the goal of a mine-free Cambodia by 2030, in line with Cambodia’s third extension request for mine clearance (2026–2030). The extension was recently approved at the 22nd Meeting of States Parties to the Ottawa Convention, together with Cambodia’s clearly defined action plan.
Ambassador DesRoches praised the Kingdom’s mine clearance efforts. He suggested that the CMAA prioritise mine action activities in Cambodia and act as a coordinating body with the mine clearance operators that have already sought Canadian support for mine clearance projects.
