AKP Phnom Penh, October 13, 2025 --

The Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) has appealed to the Japanese Government to maintain its critical support for mine action, particularly to help fund Cambodia's five-year mine clearance plan required for the extension of the Ottawa Treaty deadline until 2030.

H.E. Heng Ratana, Delegate of the Royal Government and CMAC Director General, made the appeal during a visit by H.E. Dr. Tanaka Akihiko, President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), to the CMAC headquarters in Phnom Penh on Oct. 12.

During the meeting, H.E. Heng Ratana expressed profound gratitude for Dr. Tanaka’s visit and briefed him on Cambodia’s war history, the lasting impact of landmines and unexploded ordnance, and the nation’s post-conflict peacebuilding and reconstruction efforts. He also detailed CMAC’s extensive experience in mine and ERW clearance operations across the country.

H.E. Heng Ratana extended heartfelt thanks on behalf of CMAC to the Government and people of Japan, particularly JICA leadership, for their long-standing support for Cambodia’s mine action sector. This support includes funding for CMAC’s training facility in Kampong Chhnang province and the Techo Peace Museum in Siem Reap province.

JICA has provided substantial assistance to Cambodia’s mine action efforts over the past 27 years, including more than 50 heavy demining machines and various other demining equipment.

In response, Dr. Tanaka highly praised CMAC's unwavering efforts as Cambodia's leading demining institution. He underscored CMAC's significant contributions to global peacebuilding by sharing its technical expertise with other war-affected nations.

Dr. Tanaka also lauded Cambodia's initiative to establish the Techo Peace Museum with support from the Japanese Government. The museum is designed to educate younger generations about the legacy of war and the importance of peace through mine and explosive remnants of war (ERW) clearance.

Highlighting technological cooperation, the JICA President noted the collaborative work between CMAC and Japanese experts in researching and applying advanced mine clearance technologies, including the ALIS mine detection system and artificial intelligence. He reaffirmed JICA's commitment to continuing cooperation to deploy innovative technologies for clearing mine and ERW-contaminated areas, thereby enhancing community safety and promoting socio-economic development.

Dr. Tanaka concluded by expressing his admiration for Cambodia’s remarkable development over the past decade, citing new infrastructure such as international airports and other major facilities.

By K. Rithy Reak