Dr. Ly Thuch: National Mine Action Policy 2026-2035 sets clear goals to address landmines and explosive remnants of war in Cambodia Phnom Penh: Dr. Ly Thuch, Senior Minister and First Deputy Chairman of the Cambodian Mine Action Authority, highlighted that the National Mine Action Policy 2026-2035, which was approved and officially put into use by the Royal Government of Cambodia, sets clear goals and policy directions to address landmines and explosive remnants of war remaining in Cambodia. This was highlighted during a meeting between Dr. Ly Thuch and His Excellency Steven Pang, Ambassador of Singapore to Cambodia, at the Cambodian Mine Action Authority headquarters on September 1, 2026. Dr. Ly Thuch emphasized that landmine action is not only a humanitarian task, but also an important part of national development, closely linked to food security, rural development, poverty reduction, infrastructure construction, and improving the quality of life of citizens. On that occasion, H.E. Dr. Ly Thuch thanked the Government of Singapore for supporting Cambodia’s initiative to establish the ASEAN Regional Center for Mine Action and for its continued support for the activities and mission of the Center. The discussions also reflected on the long-standing friendship and close relationship between Cambodia and Singapore, as well as the continued strengthening of cooperation between the two countries.

H.E. Senior Minister Ly Thuch : Inter-ministerial cooperation between mine action and environmental protection will be a model for other conflict-affected countries around the world Phnom Penh, 20 August 2026 — Speaking at the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding on the Environment between the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology, the Ministry of Cults and Religion, and the Cambodia Mine Action Authority, H.E. Dr. Ly Thuch, Senior Minister and First Deputy Director of the Cambodia Mine Action Authority, considered the cooperation as an important step in linking mine and explosive remnants of war clearance to the protection and conservation of natural resources. H.E. Dr. Ly Thuch highlighted that Cambodia has both rich natural resources and a large explosive remnants of war burden, some of which are located in protected areas. This situation not only poses a risk to the safety of conservation groups and communities, but also hinders biodiversity research, natural resource conservation, and ecotourism development. Through this memorandum, the Cambodia Mine Action Authority and the Ministry of Environment will work together to identify areas at risk from mines and explosive remnants of war, prioritize clearance based on conservation needs, community safety, and development potential, and ensure that clearance operations are carried out in a manner that respects the principles of environmental protection. Dr. Ly Thuch said that this cooperation is an extension of the principle of “Working Together, Achieving Together” of Samdech Maha Vajiralongkorn, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, into practical implementation, with each institution bringing its own expertise and role to create protected areas that are safe for people, communities, and nature. Cambodia is also expanding such cooperation to other sectors, linking mine clearance to agricultural development and environmental conservation. Dr. Ly Thuch emphasized that if this cooperation is successful, “inter-ministerial cooperation between mine action and environmental protection will become a model for other conflict-affected countries around the world.” His Excellency Dr. stated that when Cambodia achieves the goal of being landmine-free by 2030, Cambodia's protected areas will not only be free from encroachment, but also from the threats left by war. The Mine Action Authority and the Ministry of Environment will work together to make protected areas safe, livable, and revitalizing.

H.E. Senior Minister Lee Thuc: Cambodia and Turkey’s support and experience in global mine action will continue to push towards a mine-free world Phnom Penh, August 13, 2026 — At the headquarters of the Cambodia Mine Action Authority, H.E. Senior Minister Lee Thuc, First Vice President of the Cambodia Mine Action Authority, received H.E. Mesut Özcan, Ambassador of Turkey to Cambodia, to discuss strengthening friendship, bilateral relations and practical cooperation between Cambodia and Turkey. H.E. Senior Minister Lee Thuc welcomed and congratulated H.E. Ambassador on assuming his new position and affirmed Cambodia’s readiness to work closely with the Turkish Embassy to transform friendly relations into mutually beneficial cooperation.​ H.E. Mesut Özcan highlighted the friendly relations and good cooperation between the two countries, which have expanded to many fields, including providing scholarships for Cambodian students to study in Turkey. The Turkish Ambassador to Cambodia expressed his commitment to further strengthening the Cambodia-Turkey partnership and highlighted Turkey’s participation in contributing to the global mine action. Regarding mine action, HE Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong shared that Cambodia has transformed from a country severely affected by mines to one with internationally recognized capabilities, skills and experience in the field of humanitarian mine action. Alongside these achievements, HE Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong stated that Cambodia is facing new challenges related to explosive ordnance caused by the Cambodia-Thailand border conflict in some communities and areas that had previously been cleared and returned to the people for safe use. HE Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong appreciated Turkey’s support for international mine action and highlighted that the experiences, skills and support of Cambodia and Turkey can complement each other to promote joint efforts towards a world free of mines. The cooperation will focus on sharing experiences and knowledge, building capacity and contributing to global humanitarian mine action.