Laos Hosts International Delegation at UXO Clearance Site Ahead of Cluster Munitions Convention Review

More than 270 delegates from over 120 countries and international organizations visited a UXO clearance site in Ban Phik Yai, Luang Prabang District, on September 13, 2026. The visit took place ahead of the 3rd Review Conference of the Convention on Cluster Munitions (3RC-CCM), which the Lao PDR will host from September 14–18. The delegation was led by Mr. Anoupharb Vongnorkeo, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Vice-Chairman and Permanent Member of the National Regulatory Authority for UXO/Mine Action in the Lao PDR. They were welcomed by Mr. Bounlua Sinxayvoravong, Governor of Luang Prabang Province. Briefings were provided by the Director of the National Unexploded Ordnance Programme (UXO Lao) and field managers, detailing the extent of UXO contamination, achievements, operational challenges, and future survey and clearance plans in the province. Luang Prabang remains one of the provinces heavily affected by unexploded ordnance left over from past conflicts, with Ban Phik Yai among the most severely impacted communities. Technical surveys conducted since 2016 have covered 423 hectares, with 347.2 hectares confirmed as hazardous areas containing UXO. Clearance operations have completed 119.73 hectares, including 117.3 hectares of agricultural land and 2.39 hectares for other development purposes. During these operations, 3,461 items of UXO were found and destroyed, including two large bombs, 2,775 cluster munitions, and 684 other ordnance items. Ban Phik Yai is home to communities whose livelihoods depend largely on agriculture. The clearance and handover of land certified safe from UXO will enable residents to expand rice farming, vegetable and fruit cultivation, and livestock raising, gradually transitioning from subsistence farming towards commercial production. The safe use of cleared land also creates opportunities for local economic development and the establishment of safe tourism areas. The Lao PDR, as one of the countries most heavily affected by cluster munitions, has actively participated in the development and adoption of the Convention on Cluster Munitions. The government has integrated the treaty's objectives into its national UXO strategy, Safe Path Forward III (2021–2030), and adopted Sustainable Development Goal 18, “Lives Safe from UXO”. During the visit, the delegation witnessed the controlled destruction of recovered UXO and toured the information center. Information Source: KPL Laos News