The Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC) and the Norwegian People's Aid (NPA) have signed a partnership cooperation agreement to implement a cluster munitions remnant survey and clearance project in eastern Cambodia. The initiative, funded by the United States with a budget of $600,000, will run from December 1, 2025, to April 30, 2026. The project aims to accurately define the scope of contamination in target provinces through area reduction and the creation of Confirmed Hazardous Areas (CHAs), ultimately releasing cleared land back to local communities.

The signing ceremony took place on September 27 following a visit by a US Congressional Delegation led by Congressman Adam Smith, US Representative for Washington and a member of the House Armed Services Committee; Congressman Michael Baumgartner, US Representative for Washington and a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee; and Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan, US Representative for Washington and a member of the House Armed Services Committee. The delegation was received by Heng Ratana, Delegate of the Royal Government in charge as Director General of CMAC, at the Technical Institute of Mine Action in Kampong Chhnang province. Discussions focused on strengthening bilateral ties and advancing cooperation in the mine action sector.

Organized by the US Embassy in Cambodia through the NPA, the visit aimed to provide the delegation with firsthand insight into Cambodia’s mine action efforts — particularly mine and unexploded ordnance (UXO) clearance activities conducted by CMAC under the US Grant Cooperation Project. During the meeting, H.E. Heng Ratana briefed the delegation on CMAC’s achievements in mine and explosive remnants of war (ERW) clearance, as well as recent developments along the Cambodia–Thailand border, where additional remnants of war fired by the Thai army have been discovered. H.E. Heng Ratana also expressed hope that the visit would reaffirm the United States’ commitment to continuing its support for Cambodia’s mine action sector.

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