Cambodia Expresses Grave Concern Over Border Conflict and Cluster Bomb Use by Thai Military

Cambodia has expressed grave concern over the humanitarian impact stemming from border conflicts and the use of cluster bombs by the Thai military during a meeting of the Peacebuilding Commission at the United Nations headquarters. Speaking at the commission's session titled "Mine Action as a Driver for Peacebuilding, Transitional Justice, Reconciliation and Recovery: Lessons from Cambodia and Colombia" in New York, Cambodia's Chargé d'Affaires a.i. to the UN, Yoeung Chan Sophara, highlighted that as a post-conflict nation that has long faced the threat of landmines, Cambodia views mine action not only as a humanitarian and security issue but also as an investment in building and maintaining peace. He briefed the meeting on Cambodia's practical experiences and achievements in demining, underscoring the clearance of 3,598 square kilometers of land contaminated with explosive remnants of war, including 2,586 square kilometers of land contaminated with anti-personnel mines. He also highlighted Cambodia's contributions to peacekeeping operations, deploying approximately 10,000 peacekeepers, including demining experts, since 2006, and successfully hosting the "Siem Reap-Angkor Summit on a Mine-Free World." While reaffirming Cambodia's commitment to clearing all mine-contaminated land by 2030 through the implementation of its National Mine Action Policy 2026-2035, he expressed strong concerns over the humanitarian consequences arising from recent border conflicts and the use of cluster bombs by "one party." He emphasized that this not only causes long-term humanitarian impacts but also places additional pressure on Cambodia's efforts in surveying, research, demining, and victim assistance.