LocationsRemarks by Ms. Alissar Chaker, Resident Representative, UNDP Cambodia
Honorable Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia
H.E. Ly Thuch, Senior Minister, First Vice President of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority
Excellencies Ambassadors, development partners, and distinguished representatives of the Royal Government of Cambodia.
Chum Reap Sour. Good morning.
I am honored to be here today with so many champions of mine action in Cambodia and beyond to raise the voice once again against the destructive power of mines. One victim is one victim too many, let alone 49 victims in 2024. Landmines and Explosive Remnants of War shatter people’s lives and livelihoods, exacerbate inequalities and exclusions, and undermine societal recovery, setting back development and denying peace dividends for some. This is the reason why UNDP has been invested in supporting mine action since its inception in Cambodia in 1992 during the times of the United Nations peacekeeping operation, UNTAC.
The mine action ecosystem in Cambodia is vibrant, with so many friendly countries supporting the Royal Government’s mine action efforts both bilaterally and through the multilateral United Nations system. I am thus doubly honored to also represent multilateralism in this meeting. Multilateralism is a crucial component of mine action, as it facilitates international cooperation, partnership and resource sharing, transfer of experience and standardized protocols, eventually leading to more effective and sustainable mine clearance that ensures access to peace dividends throughout the humanitarian-development continuum.
Honorable Prime Minister and Distinguished Participants.
More recently, the Clearing for Results project has been supporting mine action since 2006, contributing to land clearance and release for safe use, particularly in the most affected northwestern provinces. To date, the project has cleared and released 384 square kilometers of mine-contaminated land for productive use by affected communities. This contribution accounts for over 12% of the total sector results with approximately 300,000 mines and ERW destroyed in the process, benefiting over one million people, half of whom are women and girls.
In the current phase IV funded by Australia, Luxembourg, New Zealand, and the Republic of Korea, the project prioritizes the development of national capacities and agency to plan, regulate, coordinate, and monitor mine action and its potential residual risks. Additionally, it implements explosive ordnance risk education and assists survivors and their families in accessing much-needed rehabilitation services and livelihood opportunities for a dignified life. The project is also supporting the development of the National Mine Action Policy 2026-2035 to guide future mine action joint efforts.
Honorable Prime Minister and Distinguished Participants.
UNDP owes it to its partners. My appreciation goes to CMAA under the leadership of H.E. Senior Minister Ly Thuch, who is behind the success of mine action in Cambodia and beyond during his stellar presidency of the Ottawa Convention in 2024, and to our development partners Australia, Luxembourg, New Zealand, and the Republic of Korea for their steady support. I would also like to thank the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth and its affiliated institutions, namely, the People with Disability Foundation and the Physical Rehabilitation Centers in Battambang, Kratie, Phnom Penh, Prey Veng, Siem Reap, and Takeo, as well as sub-national authorities in the northwestern provinces, partner NGOs, demining operators, particularly our long-standing partner CMAC, and last but not least the women and men deminers, and the Cambodian peacekeepers - the heroes working day-in and day-out in harsh and dangerous conditions in the minefields.
Honorable Prime Minister and Distinguished Participants.
The task is far from being complete! Joint efforts would need to continue during this last mile to accelerate the achievement of the national Sustainable Development Goal #18 for a Cambodia free of ‘known’ landmines and explosive ordnance of war by 2030. I urge you all not to drop the ball now despite the increasing complexity and challenges of our world. UNDP is committed to continue working with you all within the framework of this coalition for a mine-free Cambodia and supporting the Royal Government in completing the release of all contaminated land for safe and productive use, thereby closing this dark chapter in Cambodia’s history.
I hope this dialogue will renew our common commitment to a mine-free Cambodia.
Thank you. Som Orkun!
