Cambodia extended its profound gratitude to Germany for its steadfast solidarity and enduring partnership in addressing the legacy of landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW). This underscores the critical role of sustained international collaboration in humanitarian mine action.
Deepening Cooperation in Humanitarian Mine Action
H.E. Dr. Ly Thuch, Senior Minister and First Vice-President of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA), conveyed the appreciation. He held bilateral talks with Mr. Stefan Delfs, Director for Humanitarian Mine Action at the German Federal Foreign Office, on the sidelines of international gatherings in Geneva. Their discussions centered on deepening cooperation in humanitarian demining efforts within Cambodia.
Germany’s Role in Peacebuilding and Mine Clearance Achievements
On behalf of the Royal Government of Cambodia, H.E. Dr. Ly Thuch thanked the German government and people for their long-standing and invaluable support toward Cambodia’s peacebuilding, reconstruction, and development, particularly in the mine action sector. He highlighted Germany’s active role in bolstering Cambodia’s successful one-year presidency of the Ottawa Convention, emphasizing that such partnership has been instrumental in accelerating national mine clearance achievements.
“Cambodia’s progress in mine action to date has been made possible through the consistent and generous contributions of partners like Germany,” H.E. Dr. Ly Thuch stated. “This support has directly enhanced livelihoods and spurred socio-economic development in once-contaminated communities.”
Ongoing Threat: Cluster Munitions at Cambodia-Thailand Border
During the exchange, he also apprised the German delegation of the recent situation along the Cambodia-Thailand border. He detailed the difficulties faced by Cambodian civilians during displacements amid reported military engagements, as well as the substantial damage inflicted upon public infrastructure.
Call for Continued German Support for a Mine-Free Future
While the security climate has since stabilised, he noted that anxiety and insecurity linger among local residents due to the pervasive contamination of unexploded ordnance, particularly cluster munitions, in villages and farmlands. The Senior Minister cited a recent tragic incident in which a young Cambodian was killed after encountering a residual cluster munition.
Reiterating Cambodia’s gratitude, H.E. Dr. Ly Thuch praised Germany for remaining a close and reliable ally in confronting the deadly remnants of past conflicts. He further called for continued German support until Cambodia realizes its ultimate goal: a future free from the threat of landmines and explosive remnants of war.