Synopsis: Both nations partner to eliminate explosive remnants and accelerate demining innovations.

Cambodia and Croatia are expanding cooperation in mine action and technological innovation to eliminate explosive remnants of war, officials announced at a bilateral dialogue in Phnom Penh yesterday.

The meeting at the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) was co-chaired by CMAA First Vice-President Ly Thuch and Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić Radman.

Thuch commended Croatia on fulfilling its Ottawa Convention obligations after a 31-year effort that destroyed 107,000 landmines. He noted Croatia’s experience offers valuable operational lessons as Cambodia targets a mine-impact-free future by 2035.

Since 1992, Cambodia has cleared over 3,500 square kilometres of contaminated land and neutralised more than four million explosive devices.

“Despite challenges, including discovering new explosive ordnance in border areas, Cambodia remains committed to achieving its goals,” Thuch said, emphasising the role of drones, satellite imagery and artificial intelligence in modern demining.

The dialogue identified prospective collaboration areas, including trainer exchanges, joint site visits, advanced technology testing and enhanced assistance for landmine victims.

Thuch hoped that Cambodia and Croatia would continue working together to build a safer world where future generations could live and thrive on safe land without the threat posed by the remnants of war.