AKP Phnom Penh, September 15, 2026 -- Senior Minister H.E. Dr. Ly Thuch, First Vice President of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA), highlighted Japan as a key, long-standing partner in mine action, both within Cambodia and on the global stage.

H.E. Dr. Ly Thuch made the remarks during a bilateral meeting with Mr. Daisuke Namioka, Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the Conference on Disarmament, in Geneva on Tuesday.

Expressing gratitude to the government and people of Japan, H.E. Dr. Ly Thuch recognised Tokyo's sustained contributions toward peace, development, and explosive remnants of war (ERW) clearance in Cambodia. He noted that the joint efforts have significantly mitigated the risks posed by landmines and unexploded ordnance to civilian populations.

H.E. Dr. Ly Thuch also recalled the success of the 5th Review Conference of the Ottawa Convention (the Siem Reap-Angkor Summit on a Mine-Free World), presided over by Cambodia in 2024, which served to bolster international cooperation and reinforce commitments toward achieving a mine-free world.

Regarding cluster munitions, H.E. Dr. Ly Thuch reiterated Cambodia's full support for the humanitarian objectives of the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM). Despite holding observer status, Cambodia remains steadfast in aligning with the international community to prevent and reduce the devastating impacts of cluster munitions on civilians.

In response, Mr. Daisuke Namioka reaffirmed the close ties between the two nations and pledged Japan's continued backing for Cambodia's demining and cluster munition clearance operations under the framework of Cambodia's National Mine Action Strategy 2026-2035.

By K. Rithy Reak