Phnom penh: Senior Minister H.E. Dr. Ly Thuch met with Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP), during a courtesy call at the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) on Mar. 30.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the meeting took place as Ms. Alisjahbana visited Cambodia to attend the Midterm Review of the Doha Programme of Action for Least Developed Countries in Asia and the Pacific. This event was co-organised by Cambodia’s National ESCAP Committee, UN-ESCAP, and UN-OHRLLS.

H.E. Dr. Ly Thuch, who is also Chairman of the National Committee for ESCAP and First Vice President of CMAA, expressed his appreciation to UN-ESCAP for selecting Cambodia as a partner in hosting the meeting. He noted that this reflects the United Nations’ confidence in the Royal Government. The Senior Minister highlighted the significant role of UN-ESCAP in promoting regional cooperation, sustainable development, and inclusive growth, and its support for Cambodia’s transition from least developed country status.

On the topic of mine action, the Senior Minister thanked UN-ESCAP for its support in developing Cambodia’s National Mine Action Policy 2026-2035, which is expected to be adopted soon. He mentioned that the policy would be a 10-year roadmap aimed at achieving a mine-free Cambodia and effectively managing explosive remnants of war.

H.E. Dr. Ly Thuch also emphasized the need for continued cooperation and additional support for humanitarian mine action. He specifically called for assistance in victim assistance, socio-economic reintegration, and the sharing of Cambodia’s expertise with other countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

Ms. Alisjahbana, for her part, expressed her appreciation to the Royal Government of Cambodia for its collaboration in organising the midterm review meeting.