Phnom penh: Cambodia has called for ongoing support from international partners to aid its mine action efforts, specifically targeting the nation’s critical Phase 4 mine clearance programme. Four States Parties to the Ottawa Convention-Australia, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, and Luxembourg-along with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), have been actively committed to backing these humanitarian initiatives.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, H.E. Ly Thuch, Senior Minister and First Vice President of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA), emphasized this appeal during a recent field mission. The mission, held on November 20, aimed to inspect the progress of the UNDP-supported ‘Clearing for Results’ programme in Kors Krolor district, Battambang province. This programme is currently concluding its Phase 4 (2020-2025) and is set to transition into Phase 5 (2026-2030).

The delegation present at the field mission included representatives from the Embassy of Japan in Cambodia, Battambang provincial leaders, and various local authorities and community beneficiaries. Senior Minister Ly Thuch extended sincere gratitude on behalf of the Cambodian government and its people for the generous and sustained support from the UNDP and partner countries.

He highlighted that such assistance demonstrates strong global solidarity and a shared humanitarian commitment to mitigating the enduring impact of landmines. H.E. Ly Thuch urged development partners, mine action operators, and all relevant stakeholders to continue supporting the Royal Government’s ambition, spearheaded by Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, to realize a mine-free Cambodia by 2030.

‘Mine action is not only about clearing and destroying landmines,’ he stated. ‘It is also about improving livelihoods, reducing risks, restoring dignity, and enabling communities to rebuild their futures.’

The “Clearing for Results” programme, initiated in 2006, has been pivotal in advancing Cambodia’s mine clearance progress. The programme has successfully cleared 418 square kilometres of mine-contaminated land, which constitutes 16 percent of Cambodia’s total cleared area, directly benefiting 1.3 million people nationwide.

Under the current Phase 4 alone, more than 174 square kilometres of land had been cleared as of September 2025, providing benefits to over 341,000 people.