AKP Phnom Penh, October 19, 2026 --

Cambodia and Croatia have agreed to bolster cooperation on mine action and technical innovation, aiming to create an explosive-remnant-of-war-free Cambodia and contribute to a safer world.

The commitment was made during the Cambodia-Croatia Dialogue on Mine Action Innovation and Cooperation, co-chaired in Phnom Penh on Oct. 19 by H.E. Dr. Ly Thuch, Senior Minister and First Vice-President of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA), and H.E. Gordan Grlić Radman, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia.

Speaking on behalf of the Royal Government of Cambodia, H.E. Dr. Ly Thuch expressed gratitude to Croatia for completing its clearance obligations under the Ottawa Convention after 31 years of efforts, during which it destroyed approximately 107,000 landmines – a landmark achievement offering valuable lessons for nations continuing their mine clearance missions.

The Senior Minister highlighted that since 1992, Cambodia has cleared over 3,500 square kilometres of land contaminated by landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW), destroying more than 4 million explosive items. Despite new explosive hazards being detected along border areas, Cambodia remains firmly committed to becoming free from the impact of explosive ordnance by 2035.

H.E. Dr. Ly Thuch noted that cutting-edge technologies – including drones, satellite imagery, advanced sensors, and artificial intelligence (AI) – play a crucial role in enhancing clearance efficiency. However, he emphasised that human expertise remains the core driver of success, encompassing deminers, risk educators, victim assistance specialists, and strong governing institutions.

Croatia’s experience in completing its mine clearance journey, particularly in addressing complex remaining areas and sustaining long-term victim support, will provide vital insights for Cambodia.

With extensive national capacity and experience, Cambodia actively contributes to United Nations peacekeeping operations and tests new demining technologies in real-world conditions. H.E. Dr. Ly Thuch reaffirmed Cambodia's readiness to share its expertise while learning from Croatia to build a mutually beneficial partnership.

He urged both nations to translate their shared knowledge into concrete joint initiatives, including trainer exchanges, joint visits to mine clearance sites, and enhanced victim support programmes.

Looking ahead, H.E. Dr. Ly Thuch expressed optimism that Cambodia and Croatia will continue working together toward a safer world, ensuring future generations can live and thrive on safe land free from the threat of war remnants.

By K. Rithy Reak