Mine clearance authorities and their development partners met today to discuss the draft “National Mine Action Policy for 2026-2035”. The policy aims to pave the way toward achieving the vision of a “Cambodia free from the impacts of mines and explosive remnants of war (ERW).”

The February 13 forum was supported by the Mine Clearance for Results Project, which receives funding from Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and the UNDP, among others.

Senior minister Ly Thuch, first vice-president of the Cambodian Mine Action Authority (CMAA), emphasised that despite significant achievements in mine action, vast areas of complex mine-contaminated land remains. This situation requires continued efforts in mine clearance, close cooperation and the mobilisation of resources, he noted.

2025 marks the final year of the implementation of the National Mine Action Strategy 2018-2025.

“We have expanded our ambition. After 2025, we will transition from a national strategy to a National Mine Action Policy for 2026-2035, in line with the vision set forth by Prime Minister Hun Manet – to achieve a Cambodia free from the impacts of mines and explosive remnants of war,” said Thuch.

Alissar Chaker, UNDP resident representative in Cambodia, remarked that today’s discussions served as a crucial step in evaluating the Kingdom’s mine clearance progress, identifying challenges, setting priorities and determining future goals.

According to Ly Thuch, from 1992 to 2024, an area of 3,297 square kilometres was cleared and repurposed. It is now used for agriculture, infrastructure, housing, schools and health centres, benefiting over 10 million people.

During this period, demining operators located and destroyed over 1.1 million anti-personnel mines, more than 26,000 anti-tank mines and over 3.1 million ERWs.

He also highlighted how the number of mine-related casualties has significantly declined – from 4,320 victims in 1996 to just 49 in 2024, with the annual average falling below 100 over the past decade.

“As of early 2025, Cambodia still has 348 square kilometres of mine-contaminated land and an additional 1,229 square kilometres of ERW, including cluster munitions, contaminated land left to clear,” added Thuch.

He acknowledged that the actual contaminated area could be larger, as ongoing research and surveys continue, particularly along border regions.