The Cambodian Mine Action Authority (CMAA) is preparing a proposal which will extend the Kingdom’s mine clearance deadline for a third time, to 2030. Under the framework of the Ottawa Convention, plans are being laid out for the period covering 2026 to 2030.

An inter-ministerial discussion on the draft document took place on March 6 at the CMAA headquarters, led by Senior Minister Ly Thuch, who serves as the first vice-president of the authority.

Cambodia became a state party to the Ottawa Convention in 2000 and has already requested two previous deadline extensions: the first from 2010 to 2019, and the second from 2020 to 2025. 

The second extension aimed to complete mine clearance by 2025, but the Kingdom has faced several challenges, including a lack of resources and the discovery of additional contaminated areas, particularly along the Thai-Cambodian border.

“These factors have prompted Cambodia to prepare a request for a third extension from 2026 to 2030. The authority will submit a formal request for high-level approval from Prime Minister Hum Manet, chairman of the Mine Action Authority in March 2025,” said a CMAA statement.

The meeting also discussed a draft of the National Mine Action Policy for 2026-2035. After multiple consultation workshops, the policy is expected to be finalised and submitted to the Council of Ministers for review and approval, with a final decision anticipated by late 2025.

According to the CMAA, as of March 2025, Cambodia still has a total of 1,697 square kilometres of land contaminated with mines, cluster munitions and unexploded ordnance.

This includes 469 square kilometres affected by landmines, 681 by cluster munitions, and 547 by other explosive remnants of war.