On November 2, 2026, Dr Ly Thuch, Senior Minister and First Vice-President of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA), chaired a meeting of the joint government–development partner Technical Working Group on Mine Action (TWG-MA) on behalf of Prime Minister Hun Manet, Chairman of the CMAA. He called on all parties to continue working together to address explosive remnants of war and emerging threats.
He said Cambodia had freed more than 3,600 square kilometres of land from the threat of mines and explosive remnants of war over more than 30 years. However, the Cambodia–Thailand armed conflict in 2025 had caused new cluster-munition contamination in seven provinces, requiring additional attention and support.
He asked relevant partners to focus on three priorities: strengthening surveys and assessments of newly affected areas; continuing to support clearance of approximately 1,689 square kilometres of remaining legacy-contaminated land; and expanding resources and private-sector participation.
At the meeting, Dr Eang Sophalleth, Minister of Environment, affirmed that cooperation with the mine action authority would be strengthened to protect affected environments and natural areas. Heng Ratana, Director General of the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC), emphasised the need to enhance technical capacity and efficiency in addressing mine-related problems.
The meeting also presented the three-year implementation plan for 2026–2028 under the National Mine Action Policy 2026–2035, aimed at improving effectiveness and development-partner support.
Finally, Dr Ly Thuch reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment to ending both legacy and emerging mine and explosive-ordnance problems, ensuring people’s safety and providing safe land for living, agriculture and national development. By Sopheak
