Thursday Morning, June 4, 2026, At the Mine Action Technical Institute in Kampong Chhnang Province, H.E. Heng Ratana, Delegate of the Royal Government in charge as Director General of CMAC, presided over the closing ceremony of the Technical Skills Training Course for Mine/UXO Detection Dog Team Leaders, supported by NPA Cambodia. Mr. Kenan Muftic, NPA Representative from Oslo, Norway, along with numerous leaders, technical officials, and relevant partners, also attended the ceremony.

According to a report by Brigadier General Thiem Sophap, Manager of the Dog Centre, the training course commenced on May 18, 2026, with a total of 12 trainees (2 females and 10 males) selected from various subordinate units and headquarters. In addition, this training course also welcomed international trainees from several countries, including South Sudan, Bosnia, Ukraine, and Ethiopia. Throughout the training period, expert instructors taught 18 core subjects (divided into theoretical sessions, field practices, and direct live-field applications) focusing on dog behaviour and scent capabilities, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), information management, and the art of team leadership. This technical skills training course for landmine-detection dog team leaders was made possible under a partnership cooperation project between CMAC and NPA Cambodia, collaborating on both financial package sponsorship and technical training support alongside the Dog Center.

This vital training course was conducted with the aim of enhancing the technical capacities, tactics, and leadership management of dog teams to ensure high efficiency and safety in implementing demining and unexploded ordnance (UXO) clearance operations along the borders affected by explosive remnants from past Thai aggressive war actions. The training course aims to contribute to reducing casualties caused by unexploded ordnance, as well as providing safe land to citizens for cultivation and sustainable community development. Speaking at the closing ceremony, H.E. Heng Ratana expressed his gratitude to NPA Cambodia for consistently providing active cooperation and support to mine action in Cambodia. He also praised and highly commended the efforts of all technical instructors and trainees—especially the female trainees—who worked hard in studying both theory and practical application to achieve these brilliant results.

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