The Director General of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has confirmed that the ongoing work to clear landmines is essential. This work creates a strong foundation for lasting peace, helps reduce poverty, and ultimately improves the lives of the Cambodian people.
Understanding the Mission
Mr. HIDEHARU Tachibana, JICA’s Director General, made this statement on November 19th during a visit to the headquarters of the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) in Phnom Penh.
He was welcomed by H.E. Heng Ratana, the Director General of CMAC. The visit was part of a trip from Tokyo to fully understand Cambodia’s landmine situation, especially CMAC’s operations to remove mines and Explosive Remnants of War (ERW)—old bombs and ammunition left over from conflict. Japan greatly supports this work through special funding.
CMAC’s Gratitude and Vision
H.E. Heng Ratana warmly thanked JICA for their long-standing partnership, which has been crucial for strengthening Cambodia’s roads and buildings, boosting the economy, and training skilled workers, particularly in the mine-clearing field.
H.E. Heng Ratana expressed a strong hope that Japan’s help will continue to offer long-term benefits to the world. This includes:
- International training programs for mine action.
- Sharing their on-the-ground experience at the Mine Action Technical Institute.
- Sharing lessons about peace at the Peace Museum—a special gift from Japan to Cambodia and the world.
Japan’s Continued Support
In response, Mr. Tachibana praised CMAC, calling it a world leader in mine clearance. He commended CMAC’s dedication to removing mines and ERW to save lives and return safe land so it can be used for community development and growth.
Mr. Tachibana promised JICA’s full and continued support for CMAC. He outlined future plans to:
- Advance mine-clearing technology.
- Introduce new innovations.
- Strengthen regional training and sharing of experience.
This expanded cooperation is set to include new countries like Timor-Leste (ASEAN’s newest member) and several African nations. He also confirmed that Japan will keep supporting the creation of modern technical solutions and demining equipment.
Learning on the Ground
The JICA team’s visit included touring important sites across the country, such as:
- The Techo Peace Museum in Siem Reap.
- Active mine clearance work in the Samlot district of Battambang province.
- The Techo Heritage Development Centre.
- The CMAC Technical Institute in Kampong Chhnang province.
Mr. Tachibana showed great interest in CMAC’s programs that focus on agricultural development on the land after it has been cleared. He described these programs as a vital part of building lasting peace, reducing poverty, and improving life for Cambodian communities.