On October 12, at the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) headquarters in Phnom Penh, H.E. Heng Ratana, Delegate of the Royal Government in charge as General Director of CMAC, held a high-level meeting with H.E. Dr. Tanaka Akihiko, President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), to enhance cooperation in the field of humanitarian mine action. During the meeting, H.E. Ratana provided a comprehensive briefing on Cambodia’s war history, the ongoing challenges posed by landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO), and the progress made in clearance efforts. H.E. also emphasized Cambodia’s broader peacebuilding and post-war reconstruction journey. Highlighting the enduring partnership between the governments and people of Cambodia and Japan, H.E. Heng Ratana underscored the importance of continued collaboration in mine action. A key topic of discussion was the South-South Cooperation Project, supported by Japan, through which CMAC shares its mine clearance expertise with other countries affected by landmines and explosive remnants of war.

H.E. Ratana expressed strong hope that Japan would maintain its vital support for Cambodia’s mine clearance efforts, which are essential for national safety, economic development, and sustaining the long-standing partnership between the two nations. “I would like to respectfully request the Government of Japan, through JICA, to continue its valuable support for the mine action sector in Cambodia. In particular, we seek continued assistance for Cambodia’s mine clearance efforts over the next five years, during the extended period of the Ottawa Convention, through to 2030,” H.E. Ratana said. He noted that over the past 27 years, CMAC has achieved remarkable progress, thanks in large part to JICA’s sustained support. This includes the provision of various types of mine clearance equipment—most notably, more than 50 heavy clearance machines—to Cambodian Government.

In response, H.E. Dr. Tanaka expressed deep appreciation for CMAC’s efforts and recognized the organization as a leading institution in Cambodia’s mine action sector. He welcomed the initiative to establish a Peace Museum—supported by the Japanese government—which aims to educate future generations about the devastating impact of war and the importance of peacebuilding through mine action. H.E. Dr. Tanaka also praised CMAC’s collaboration with Japanese experts in applying innovative technologies, including the ALIS mine detection system and artificial intelligence, to enhance clearance operations. He reaffirmed JICA’s commitment to further advancing these technologies to help clear contaminated land and ensure the safety of affected communities.

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