Phnom penh: Senior Minister H.E. Dr. Ly Thuch, First Vice President of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA), has underlined that mine clearance is not only about detecting and destroying landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW), but also about restoring dignity, rebuilding communities, and renewing people’s hopes. He made the remarks while presiding over a mine clearance contract signing ceremony at the CMAA headquarters in Phnom Penh this morning. The contract is supported by the Mine-Free Cambodia 2025 Foundation and involves the CMAA, the Army Command, the National Centre for Peacekeeping Forces, Mine and ERW Clearance (NPMEC), and the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC).

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the contract covers the clearance of 41,796,263 square metres of mine-contaminated land, equivalent to 453 minefields, across six provinces: Banteay Meanchey, Oddar Meanchey, Siem Reap, Battambang, Preah Vihear, and Pursat, with a total budget of US$5 million.

H.E. Dr. Ly Thuch stressed that the signing reflects a joint commitment and collective effort to achieve the noble goal of freeing Cambodia from the dangers of mines and ERW. He noted Cambodia’s significant progress toward this vision, emphasising strengthened national capacity and ownership of the mine action sector. This has been achieved through precise and inclusive policies and clearance activities that put human needs at the centre.

Despite these achievements, Cambodia remains among the world’s most heavily affected countries, with 1,723 square kilometres of land still impacted by mines and ERW, of which 531 square kilometres are contaminated with landmines, he added.

On behalf of the Royal Government of Cambodia, H.E. Dr. Ly Thuch expressed deep appreciation for the support of friendly countries, development partners, mine action operators, and other stakeholders. Their cooperation has helped Cambodia strengthen its national capacity, promote knowledge sharing and training, and bolster the Kingdom’s leadership in the international mine action arena.

He also conveyed gratitude to the Army Command, NPMEC, CMAC, and other operators, as well as the donor community, who have stood by Cambodia for more than three decades. ‘They have been true partners who have walked alongside Cambodia, overcoming obstacles, transforming mine-contaminated land into rice fields, farmland, and productive land, particularly into land of gold, land of hope, and land of a prosperous future,’ he said.