Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) Director-General Heng Ratana held a working meeting with Rachel Schiller, Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs of the US Department of State, and Ethan Rinks, a programme manager at the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement, along with their colleagues.
The meeting took place on October 28 at CMAC headquarters in Phnom Penh.
Ratana briefed Schiller and the delegation on progress in land clearance operations targeting areas contaminated by landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW).
He also outlined CMAC’s research and threat assessment processes, which help identify priority areas and ensure that cleared land can be safely used by the public and for community development.
Ratana thanked the US government for its support of Cambodia’s mine action sector, particularly its efforts to promote a peaceful resolution and facilitate a ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand.
“I briefed her on the impact caused by cluster munitions and explosive remnants of war—ordnance fired by the Thai military into Cambodian territory during the 2025 conflict,” Ratana said.
In response, Schiller expressed her appreciation for Prime Minister Hun Manet’s commitment to peace through strict observance of the ceasefire, as well as his efforts to strengthen relations with US leaders.
She also commended the specialised teams conducting demining and ERW clearance operations, praising their strong commitment to protecting the safety and lives of Cambodian citizens.
Schiller reaffirmed the US commitment to continuing its support for demining and ERW clearance in Cambodia in the years to come.
The United States is currently providing a $5 million grant to CMAC, channelled through Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), for an 18-month project running from January 2026 to June 2027.
Schiller also expressed keen interest in the establishment of the Techo Peace Museum in Siem Reap province. The museum showcases Cambodia’s history, the consequences of war, efforts to end the conflict and the process of building lasting peace in the country.
Cooperation between Cambodia and the United States in clearing ERW not only improves public safety, supports socio-economic development and strengthens the national economy, but also contributes to democracy, human rights and Cambodia’s long-term prosperity.
Ratana said:
“We have highlighted the challenges we face, particularly the situation along the Cambodia-Thailand border, which has had a severe impact on local communities and their homes. I am referring specifically to civilian areas, including 335 villages we have surveyed, rather than military positions or active combat zones.
Nearly 4,000 square kilometres have been affected by explosive remnants of war (ERW) originating from the Thai side. Cluster munitions have caused the most severe contamination, affecting nearly 3,000 square kilometres. This poses significant challenges and threatens the safety of returning residents, particularly their socio-economic well-being, as they rely on farming and agriculture for their livelihoods. We have held extensive discussions, focusing primarily on how to resolve this issue as quickly as possible.
We also extend our gratitude to the United States government, particularly the US Department of State, for providing information on the legacy of past conflicts, including the Vietnam War. With the approval of the Head of the Royal Government, CMAC has conducted survey to verify these locations.
The process has taken more than four years, and with the survey completed this year, we are now able to assess the quality of the information provided and, more importantly, identify the affected areas with much greater precision.
Her Excellency expressed her gratitude to Samdech Hun Manet, the Head of the Royal Government, for his close and effective cooperation with US leaders, notably President Trump.
This cooperation helped facilitate a ceasefire and a commitment to resolving border disputes through legal and peaceful mechanisms rather than the use of armed force. The United States has highly commended Samdech Hun Manet for this approach. Her Excellency also reiterated the US commitment to continuing its support for demining and the clearance of explosive remnants of war in Cambodia.
This support for the Royal Government and the Cambodian people includes ongoing assistance for operations conducted by various entities, particularly CMAC.
US assistance extends beyond the clearance of unexploded ordnance (UXO) to include cooperation with the US Department of State in providing training to strengthen Cambodia’s human resource capacity.
To strengthen our command and control in this area, it is essential to further develop and consolidate our technical capabilities.
We discussed these issues, and she continued to commend the achievements and heroic efforts of our forces, who have made significant sacrifices to protect the public and support the Royal Government’s development agenda.
According to the information she provided, the assistance is directed towards multiple entities, not just CMAC. While CMAC receives approximately $50 million, total aid for activities in the mine action sector amounts to roughly $200 million.
