Lao UXO Unit Highlights 5 Core Activities at CCM Review Conference

As international delegates convene for the 3rd Review Conference of the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) at the National Convention Centre, the Lao People's Army's Humanitarian UXO Clearance Battalion (Centre 523) is putting a spotlight on its vital nationwide mission to rid communities of war-era remnants. Established in 2013, the Humanitarian UXO Clearance Battalion (Center 523) specializes in humanitarian surveys and ordnance clearance across agricultural and production zones in its primary target areas: Vientiane and Bolikhamxay provinces. In an interview with media on September 15, 2026, Lt. Col. Xayphone Aphaiyalat, Deputy Head of Political Affairs for the battalion, detailed the unit's comprehensive operational framework centered on five core activities namely UXO Risk Education (RE) to protect local communities, Non-Technical Survey (NTS) and Technical Survey (TS) to identify and map hazards, Clearance to release land safely back to local residents for agricultural use, and Mobile and Emergency Disposal to swiftly handle urgent threats nationwide. Currently, dedicated teams from the Humanitarian UXO Clearance Battalion (Centre 523) are deployed in Kasi District (Vientiane Province) and Khamkeut District (Bolikhamxay Province). Beyond these primary territories, the unit routinely responds to emergency reports across the country. Recent high-profile operations include successfully neutralizing large bombs in Ban Nahwa (Tholakhom District), Ban Namphao (Khamkeut District), and conducting missions in Xayaboury Province. Looking forward to the fourth quarter of 2026 and into 2027, the Humanitarian UXO Clearance Battalion (Centre 523) plans to expand its deployments in strict alignment with provincial and district priorities. These ongoing efforts are bolstered by vital international cooperation and funding from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) of the Republic of Korea, channeled through the National Regulatory Authority (NRA). Lt. Col. Xayphone emphasized that addressing the UXO crisis remains a paramount national priority. The battalion's showcase at the CCM Review Conference underscores the military's unwavering commitment to transforming contaminated land into safe spaces, paving the way for a secure, cluster-munition-free future for rural communities across Laos.