Phnom Penh: Senior Minister H.E. Ly Thuch has called on the Japan Mine Action Service (JMAS) to continue its demining and explosive remnants of war (ERW) clearance operations in Cambodia to support community development.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the request was made during a meeting with JMAS President Mr. Urano Shigeyuki and his delegation at the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) headquarters. In his capacity as the First Vice President of the CMAA, H.E. Ly Thuch emphasized the importance of strengthening partnerships and cooperation in mine action efforts.

He expressed gratitude to the Japanese government and people for their longstanding support, spanning over 30 years, in Cambodia’s pursuit of peace and development. JMAS has been a key partner in implementing mine clearance and ERW projects, contributing significantly to post-clearance community development.

H.E. Ly Thuch highlighted the need for JMAS to continue its collaboration with the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) in clearing landmines and ERWs, ensuring safe land for communities and improving livelihoods. He also reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment to maintaining and advancing its partnership with Japan in the field of mine action.

In response, Mr. Urano Shigeyuki outlined JMAS’s ongoing and future projects in Cambodia, including cluster munition clearance in Stung Treng province in 2025, mine clearance in Banteay Meanchey province in 2025, and agricultural development initiatives in Battambang province from 2024 to 2025. He also proposed new collaborative projects with CMAC and requested continued support from the CMAA for JMAS’s mine action and ERW clearance efforts in Cambodia.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation in mine action, ensuring safer communities, and supporting Cambodia’s broader development goals under the leadership of Cambodia’s Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet.