The Norwegian government has continued its support for Cambodian demining activities, announcing a $1.2 million grant for clearance efforts over a 3-year period, from 2025 to 2027.
The commitment was shared today, October 6, during a meeting between Senior Minister Ly Thuch, first vice-president of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) and Norwegian ambassador Astrid Emilie Helle.
Thuch commended Norway for its support, noting that he regards the Nordic nation as not merely a donor, but a true partner of Cambodia for more than three decades, according to a CMAA press release.
He shared how Norway has stood and continues to stand with Cambodia in achieving tremendous success in addressing mine and explosive remnants of war (ERW) issues, including mine clearance, data management, capacity building and research, among others, as well as supporting Cambodia in its role as chair and host of the Siem Reap-Angkor Summit on a Mine-Free World.
He highlighted the Cambodian government’s achievements in the mine action sector, whereby tens of thousands of hectares of land have been liberated from mines and ERWs, thanks to contributions from friendly countries, development partners, mine clearance operators and other relevant parties. In this regard, Norway stands out as a key prominent partner.
Thuch assured the Norwegian ambassador that, with respect to the Cambodia-Thailand border issue, Prime Minister Hun Manet desires that the border area become a zone of peace.
Helle praised the accomplishments of Cambodia’s mine action sector, as well as the success in chairing and hosting the 2024 Siem Reap-Angkor Summit on a Mine-Free World, under the Ottawa Convention. She reiterated that Norway would continue to support mine action in Cambodia until the country achieves its goal of being free from the impacts of mines and ERW.
According to the CMAA, the Norwegian ambassador also expressed sorrow over the hardships arising from recent clashes along the Cambodia-Thailand border, which resulted in deaths, injuries and tens of thousands of refugee families being forced to flee their homes, while extending her wishes for peace in the Cambodia-Thailand border region.
