Cambodia Launches 10‑Year Policy to End Impact of Landmines and Explosive Ordnance

PHNOM PENH, Sept 3, 2026 (KPT) — Cambodia has launched a new 10‑year national policy aimed at strengthening mine clearance and reducing the impact of landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW). Ly Thuch, senior minister and first vice‑president of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA), stated that mine action should be treated as a central part of national development rather than a secondary task. He was speaking Wednesday at the official launch of the National Mine Action Policy 2026–2035, held at the Office of the Council of Ministers in Phnom Penh. Thuch represented Prime Minister Hun Manet at the event. Thuch explained that the new policy links mine action with food security, rural development, poverty reduction, infrastructure development, and efforts to improve living standards. He credited former prime minister Hun Sen with establishing peace and stability that provided the foundation for mine‑clearance efforts and praised Prime Minister Hun Manet for his support for the sector. Officials said clearance operations over more than three decades have allowed contaminated land to be returned for agriculture, schools, housing, infrastructure, and investment. Thuch elaborated that the new policy represents a shift in how progress will be measured, with success assessed not only by the amount of land cleared but also by how communities benefit once it is made safe. "Mine action is not a secondary task, but rather a core component of national development, a commitment to the Cambodian people, and a promise to future generations," he stated. He called on international donors, development partners, mine‑clearance operators, civil society groups, and the private sector to continue supporting Cambodia as it enters what he described as the final and increasingly challenging stage of mine clearance. The policy sets out a vision of “a Cambodia free from the impact of explosive ordnance,” with the government stating the objective is to enable people to live safely and pursue sustainable livelihoods. Representatives of donor countries, development partners, and the private sector welcomed the launch and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Cambodia’s efforts to reduce the remaining threat from landmines and explosive remnants of war. Cambodia’s mine problem is a legacy of decades of armed conflict. Although clearance operations have significantly reduced the threat in many areas, contaminated land remains a challenge in parts of the country.