The Government of Japan has provided approximately US$11 million in grant aid to the Royal Government of Cambodia for the third phase of mine clearance in three target provinces bordering Thailand: Battambang, Pursat and Koh Kong. As of March 2025, Cambodia still had a total of 1,697 square kilometres of land contaminated by mines, cluster bombs and other explosive remnants of war.
The exchange of notes and related documents was signed on January 12, 2026 by Cambodian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn and Japanese Ambassador to Cambodia Atsushi Ueno.
According to a Cambodian Foreign Ministry press release, the grant to the Royal Government of Cambodia supports the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) and totals JPY1.7 billion, equivalent to more than approximately US$11 million. It will fund CMAC operations in the three target provinces of Battambang, Pursat and Koh Kong over a two-year implementation period from January 2026 to January 15, 2028.
CMAC Director-General Heng Ratana said the project would directly benefit more than 27,000 families and many more people indirectly. He said CMAC would need to deploy approximately more than 350 operational personnel to achieve the project’s objectives.
In addition to clearing minefields, the project will supply technical materials and advanced technology systems, including ALIS mine detectors, demining machinery, drones and artificial-intelligence (AI) data systems. It will also support several small-scale development activities for people affected by mines.
By: Nget Pisant
