AKP Phnom Penh, Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen this morning reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment for its mine-free goal by 2025.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Conference Commemorating 30 Years of Mine Action in Cambodia held at Koh Pich Convention and Exhibition Centre, Samdech Techo Hun Sen said Cambodia has spent millions of U.S. dollars on energy, then on physical infrastructure construction in Preah Sihanouk and Siem Reap provinces, therefore Cambodia can also invest in mine-free initiative by 2025.
“Without commitment and determination, we cannot achieve our mine-free goal by 2025,” he stressed. “Demining is a good merit act for humanity”.
Samdech Techo Hun Sen said he will discuss this issue with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance H.E. Aun Pornmoniroth.
H.E. Ly Thuch, Senior Minister and First Vice President of Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) said the celebration of 30th anniversary of mine action in Cambodia is to highlight the historical achievement in mine action in Cambodia and commemorate the expertise and sacrifice, both physical and mental, of the mine action operators, as well as to thank all donors and development partners for their support for mine clearance activities in Cambodia.
The Kingdom’s mine clearance operations started in 1992 with the support from the United States, Japan, Australia, the United Kingdom, the People’s Republic of China, Germany, Switzerland, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Canada, Norway, Hungary, France, India, Ireland, Spain, Sweden, Belgium, Austria, UNDP and UNICEF.
According to CMAA’s report, in the past 30 years, Cambodia released some 2,531 square kilometres of contaminated land, found and destroyed 1,151,232 anti-personnel mines, 26,112 anti-tank mines, and 3,028,659 items of unexploded ordnance, benefiting about 9 million people.
Source: Agency Kampuchea Press