Prime Minister Hun Manet has appealed to the international community to assist the Kingdom with meeting its objective of clearing landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) to realise the vision of a mine-free Cambodia. He appealed for ongoing financial and technical assistance.

Addressing the 78th UN General Assembly on September 22, Manet highlighted that alongside the UN sustainable development goals (SDGs), Cambodia has committed to achieving mine-free status by 2025.

“In this endeavour, Cambodia has urged the ongoing provision of financial and technical support. We encourage participation to raise awareness of the dangers posed by landmines and UXO, which persist as threats to human security despite the cessation of armed conflict,” he said.

Ly Thuch, first vice-president of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) expressed his appreciation for Manet’s efforts to secure support. He thanked the prime minister for his calls for friendly nations to provide aid for mine clearance efforts.

He added that the government’s goal is to ensure the safety of the people and secure land for agricultural cultivation.

“The involvement of friendly countries and development partners is crucial, and we extend our gratitude to our donors. However, to achieve the 2025 objective, we require additional cooperation and participation by friendly nations,” he explained.

He expressed his optimism that with the Prime Minister’s dedication and the collaboration of development partners, Cambodia will achieve its aim of becoming mine-free by 2025.

The Kingdom is preparing to host the Third Global Conference on Assistance to the Victims of Anti-Personnel Mines and Other Explosive Ordnance in a Disability Rights Context, which is scheduled to take place from October 17 to 19 in Phnom Penh.

On September 21, Thuch chaired an inter-ministerial meeting to organise the conference, noting that the government, in cooperation with the Implementation Support Unit of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (ISU-APMBC), has given the green light to the event. The conference will see participation from delegates representing over 45 countries.

Cambodia holds the distinction of being the first country in Asia – and only the third globally – to host this conference under the terms of the 1997 Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production, and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction, commonly known as the Ottawa Treaty. Cambodia became a state party to this convention in the year 2000.