AKP Phnom Penh, February 14, 2025 --

Director General of the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) H.E. Heng Ratana received at the CMAC headquarters in Phnom Penh on Feb. 14 a delegation from the U.S. Embassy in Cambodia, led by Mrs. Bridgette L. Walker, the embassy’s Chargé d’Affaires.

The discussion focused on strengthening the good relations and cooperation between Cambodia and the U.S, particularly in the field of mine action.

In the meeting, H.E. Heng Ratana, briefed the delegation on mine action achievements and the path ahead to address the remaining ERW problems, and thanked the U.S. for assisting CMAC in both strengthening national capacity and grant assistance to clear the landmines and remnants of war in Cambodia.

For her part, Mrs. Bridgette Walker expressed her appreciation for Cambodia’s efforts and achievements in clearing landmines and UXO, and for its assistance in supporting other landmine/UXO-affected countries around the world.

She also extended condolences for the loss of two mine clearance experts in a mine explosion in mid-January 2025.

Regarding the suspension of U.S. aid worldwide, including Cambodia, and the impact on the CMAC’s operational capacity due to the suspension, Mrs. Bridgette Walker stated that if she received specific information from the U.S. government, she will inform CMAC of those outcomes.

She also expressed optimism about the good relations between the two countries and hoped that everything would be better in the future.

CMAC has received a grant of US$6.35 million from the U.S. for mine clearance operations from March 2022 to November 2025. This funding has supported some 200 technical UXO experts.

By Chea Vannak