On Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at the CMAC Headquarters in Phnom Penh, H.E. Heng Ratana, Delegate of the Royal Government in charge as Director General of the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC), received and held a consultative meeting with an international delegation from the European Union (EU), the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD), and APOPO. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss in greater detail the scope and objectives of the proposed field mission, exchange views on current national capacities for humanitarian demining, and explore possible areas for future cooperation and EU support.

During the meeting, H.E. Heng Ratana briefed the delegation on the history of war in Cambodia, which left behind millions of unexploded ordnances, the establishment of CMAC, and the progress achieved in clearing war remnants. He particularly highlighted the intensive operational activities in which CMAC forces have been clearing and surveying many areas affected by past Thai military incursions. In response, the European Union delegation and GICHD experts paid high attention to this clarification and expressed their readiness to continue technical cooperation to support humanitarian mine action in Cambodia more effectively.

The delegation will travel to several provinces affected by Thai military attacks where CMAC expert forces are operating and will learn about the living conditions of war-displaced persons in provinces along the border with Thailand, including Banteay Meanchey, Oddar Meanchey, and Preah Vihear.

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