AKP Phnom Penh, February 03, 2026 -- Demining experts from Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam gathered on Tuesday for a high-level regional workshop aimed at accelerating the clearance of Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) across Southeast Asia.

The four-day summit, hosted by the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) at its Technical Institute in Kampong Chhnang province, brings together 23 specialist delegates from three national authorities: CMAC, UXO Lao, and the Vietnam National Mine Action Centre (VNMAC).

The initiative is organised in close cooperation with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), a long-standing partner in the region's efforts to eliminate the remnants of war.

H.E. Heng Ratana, Director-General of CMAC, stated during the opening ceremony that the workshop serves as a vital platform for the three neighbouring nations to synchronise their strategies.

"This workshop provides a critical opportunity for our organisations to exchange experiences, identify shared challenges, and develop innovative solutions," he said. "Our goal is to drive the efficiency and safety of demining operations to even higher standards."

Beyond technical coordination, the forum aims to bolster regional security and foster sustainable development in communities still paralysed by the presence of decades-old explosives.

The agenda includes field visits where delegates will observe CMAC’s live operations, including: Landmine clearance in Kampong Thom province; Underwater UXO recovery missions in Prey Veng province.

By K. Rithy Reak