Geneva, Switzerland: On December 1, 2025, Dr Ly Thuch, Senior Minister and First Vice-President of Cambodia’s mine action authority, represented the Cambodian government in delivering a statement on the progress of humanitarian mine action in Cambodia at the 22nd Meeting of States Parties to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, also known as the Ottawa Convention, in Geneva, Switzerland.
In the statement, Cambodia called on all states parties to preserve the convention’s standards and spirit. It said states parties should not seek advantage or take actions contrary to the humanitarian principles and values at the heart of the convention. In particular, it called for joint implementation of the Siem Reap–Angkor Action Plan and Political Declaration to clear the legacy of the past and build a peaceful future for humanity.
Ly Thuch also stressed that Cambodia’s mine action programme operates transparently, professionally and in accordance with its obligations to build trust among states parties. He said Cambodia had consequently been highly regarded as a leading country in mine clearance, information management and support for survivors.
Ly Thuch reaffirmed Cambodia’s full commitment to the convention’s goals. He said it would continue strengthening national capacity, supporting victims, sharing expertise internationally and providing assistance according to the needs and requests of other mine-affected countries.
He added that Cambodia recognised that border areas in some countries, like its own, still face complex mine contamination left by past wars, posing risks to civilians and military personnel alike. Cambodia has addressed these challenges by focusing on the humanitarian, economic and political consequences of minefields and choosing cooperation, dialogue and technical approaches to ensure safety along its borders.
By: ចិន្តា ទីទិ
