Cambodia Earns UN Recognition for Mine Clearance
Cambodia Earns UN Recognition for Mine Clearance
HANOI, June 10, 2026 — United Nations Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu has praised Cambodia’s achievements in mine clearance and unexploded ordnance removal, highlighting the country’s growing contribution to global peace and security.
The remarks were made during a meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on June 9 on the sidelines of the 3rd ASEAN Future Forum in Vietnam.
During the meeting, Nakamitsu commended Cambodia’s expertise in clearing landmines and unexploded ordnance left behind by decades of conflict, noting that mine action requires substantial time, resources and long-term commitment.
She also praised the professionalism and experience of Cambodian peacekeepers participating in United Nations peacekeeping operations around the world, describing Cambodia’s contributions as a demonstration of its commitment to international peace and its willingness to share valuable experience with the global community.
Nakamitsu also recalled her previous involvement with Cambodia before the 1991 Paris Peace Agreements, when she worked to support the repatriation of Cambodian refugees returning home.
In response, Hun Manet expressed appreciation for the United Nations’ longstanding role in helping Cambodia achieve peace and advance socio-economic development.
The prime minister highlighted Cambodia’s progress in clearing landmines and unexploded ordnance, as well as the country’s successful hosting of the Siem Reap-Angkor Summit on a Mine-Free World under the Ottawa Convention in late 2024.
Hun Manet also reflected on the devastating consequences of war experienced by Cambodia and emphasized that armed conflict cannot provide lasting solutions.
“Ultimately, only dialogue and the preservation of peace can provide a sustainable path forward,” he said.
The two sides also exchanged views on regional and international issues and agreed on the importance of resolving disputes through peaceful means in accordance with international law and the United Nations Charter.
Before concluding the meeting, Hun Manet briefed the senior UN official on recent developments along the Cambodia-Thailand border and reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment to resolving border issues peacefully, based on international law and existing bilateral agreements between the two countries.
The meeting underscored Cambodia’s continued efforts to position itself as a contributor to international peace, drawing on its own experience of post-conflict recovery and mine action to support global peacebuilding initiatives.
