AKP Phnom Penh, April 02, 2025 --

The Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA), the Government of Luxembourg, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have launched a new partnership for a mine-free Cambodia.

Accordingly, the Government of Luxembourg will contribute EUR 2 million to the Clearing for Results project, joining other development partners, namely, Australia, New Zealand, and the Republic of Korea, pointed out a joint press release AKP received last night.

The signing ceremony held at Raffles Hotel Le Royal in Phnom Penh on April 1, was attended by His Royal Highness Prince Guillaume, the Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg, H.E. Xavier Bettel, Deputy Prime Minister of Luxembourg, H.E. Ly Thuch, Senior Minister and First Vice President of CMAA, and Ms. Alissar Chaker, UNDP Resident Representative in Cambodia.

“Landmines trap affected regions in cycles of poverty, and their destructive consequences last long after conflicts end, causing horrific injuries and death generations later. Farmers in Cambodia are among the most affected, as contaminated land remains unusable, limiting agricultural production and economic activity. Therefore, successful demining operations in Cambodia contribute directly to sustainable development and to reaching Cambodia’s national SDG 18: the clearance of landmines and explosive remnants of war. For that reason, Luxembourg is very glad to be able to join the efforts for a Mine-Free Cambodia,” H.E. Xavier Bettel said.

H.E. Dr. Ly Thuch highlighted the transformative power of mine clearance, stating: “Each mine removed not only eliminates a threat but also restores dignity, rebuilds confidence, and opens new possibilities. This agreement strengthens Cambodia’s mine action efforts.” He also emphasised Prime Minister Hun Manet’s steadfast commitment to a Mine/ERW-Impact-Free Cambodia, noting that the Prime Minister’s leadership has made mine action a key part of the country’s development strategy. On behalf of the Royal Government and the people of Cambodia, Dr. Ly Thuch expressed gratitude to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg for its generosity, which honours Cambodia’s resilience and underscores their shared commitment to a safer, mine-free future.

Ms. Alissar Chaker stated, “The Clearing for Results project has been supporting mine action in Cambodia for nearly 20 years, contributing significantly to land clearance and release for safe use, particularly in the most affected northwestern provinces. This accounts for over 12 percent of the total sector results. It also supports the development of national capacities to plan, regulate, coordinate, and monitor mine action, implements explosive ordnance risk education, and assists survivors and their families in accessing much-needed rehabilitation services and livelihood opportunities. She thanked Australia, Luxembourg, New Zealand and the Republic of Korea for their trust in UNDP and their continued commitment to a future in Cambodia free of land mines.”

Currently in its fourth phase, the Clearing for Results project has been supporting mine action in Cambodia since 2006. It has contributed to the release of more than 384 square kilometres of contaminated land, representing over 12 percent of all land released, for safe and productive use by affected communities and infrastructure development, benefiting more than 1.2 million people.

This has been possible thanks to the generous support of the governments of Australia, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, UNDP and the Royal Government of Cambodia. Through the new partnership with Luxembourg, the project will be extended until 2027, bringing the country one step closer to achieving a mine-free Cambodia by 2030.

AKP