AKP Phnom Penh, October 14, 2026 --

Germany has supported the clearance of more than 58 square kilometres of land in Cambodia since 1993, benefiting approximately 500,000 people, said H.E. Dr. Ly Thuch, Senior Minister and First Vice-President of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA).

He made the remarks during a meeting with H.E. Ms. Silke Röfer, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Cambodia, at the CMAA headquarters in Phnom Penh on Oct. 14. The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation in humanitarian mine action and the clearance of explosive remnants of war (ERW) in Cambodia, as the ambassador began her new diplomatic mission in the Kingdom.

H.E. Dr. Ly Thuch welcomed the German ambassador and expressed his gratitude to the German Government and people for their longstanding support for Cambodia’s mine action sector since 1993. He described Germany as an important and long-term development partner that has helped reduce the risks posed by landmines and explosive remnants of war while improving safety and development opportunities for Cambodian communities.

According to H.E. Dr. Ly Thuch, Germany’s support has contributed to the clearance of more than 58 square kilometres of land, the discovery and destruction of 31,783 anti-personnel mines, 427 anti-tank mines and 73,349 items of explosive remnants of war. Approximately 500,000 people have benefited from these efforts.

He also expressed deep appreciation for Germany’s active support during Cambodia’s chairmanship and hosting of the Fifth Review Conference of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, commonly known as the Ottawa Convention, in 2024.

H.E. Dr. Ly Thuch emphasised that Germany’s contribution had not only helped achieve historic progress in Cambodia’s mine action sector but had also helped build a safer future and create better development opportunities for the Cambodian people.

In response, Ambassador Röfer commended Cambodia’s progress in mine clearance and the improved safety of people living and working on cleared land. She reaffirmed Germany’s humanitarian commitment to supporting Cambodia’s mine action sector and expressed interest in community-based mine and explosive ordnance risk education programmes.

Such awareness programmes are an important complement to clearance operations, helping prevent accidents and protect the lives of people in communities affected by landmines and explosive remnants of war.

By C. Nika