AKP Phnom Penh, January 27, 2026 -- Cambodia’s national mine authority and Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Tuesday to enhance technical capacity and ensure the long-term sustainability of demining efforts in the Kingdom.

The agreement, signed at the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) headquarters, establishes a framework for strengthening national systems to manage residual threats and improve data coordination. 

The document was formalised by CMAA Secretary-General Ly Panharith and NPA Country Director Mr. Hans Peter Risser, under the presidency of Senior Minister H.E. Dr. Ly Thuch, First Vice-President of the CMAA.

Speaking on behalf of Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, H.E. Dr. Ly Thuch lauded the three-decade partnership between Cambodia and Norway. He expressed gratitude to the Norwegian government and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) for their consistent support of Cambodia’s peace-building and humanitarian demining missions.

"This long-standing partnership with NPA reflects mutual trust, respect, and a shared humanitarian commitment," he said. "It stands as a testament to international solidarity with Cambodia’s goal to provide safety and development for its people."

The Senior Minister characterised the MoU as a pivotal step toward full national ownership of the demining sector. As Cambodia nears its goal of becoming mine-free, the focus is shifting from large-scale clearance to managing "residual risk"—ensuring that communities remain protected through robust reporting systems and rapid-response capabilities.

"Cambodia will continue to lead its mine action programme with a resilient national system, ensuring quality, safety, and long-term sustainability," H.E. Dr. Ly Thuch added. He emphasised that building these internal systems is essential to safeguarding future generations even after active clearance operations conclude.

Since the early 1990s, NPA has been a primary partner in Cambodia, providing technical expertise in landmine and unexploded ordnance (UXO) clearance, as well as supporting the Kingdom’s transition toward autonomous management of its landmine legacy.

By K. Rithy Reak