The Director General of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has reaffirmed that ongoing mine clearance efforts are a critical foundation for achieving sustainable peace, reducing poverty, and improving the livelihoods of the Cambodian people.
Mr. HIDEHARU Tachibana, JICA Director General, made the statement on November 19 during a working visit to the headquarters of the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) in Phnom Penh. He was welcomed by H.E. Heng Ratana, Director General of CMAC, as part of a mission from Tokyo aimed at gaining a comprehensive understanding of Cambodia’s mine action sector, particularly CMAC’s clearance and explosive remnants of war (ERW) operations, which are significantly supported by Japan’s grant aid projects.
H.E. Heng Ratana offered profound gratitude to JICA for its long-standing partnership in strengthening Cambodia’s infrastructure, promoting economic growth, and developing human resources, with a specific emphasis on the mine action field.
“I strongly hope that Japan’s contribution will continue to provide global and long-term value through international training programmes in mine action, the sharing of operational experience at the Mine Action Technical Institute, and the presentation of peace-related knowledge at the Peace Museum—Japan’s generous gift to the Cambodian people and the world,” H.E. Heng Ratana stated.
In response, Mr. Tachibana commended CMAC as a leading institution in global mine clearance, praising its commitment to removing mines and ERW to save lives and return safe land for socio-economic development.
Mr. Tachibana reaffirmed JICA’s continued and full support for CMAC. He highlighted plans to further advance cooperation in mine clearance technology, introduce new innovations, and strengthen regional experience-sharing and training. This expansion of cooperation is expected to include newly engaged nations like Timor-Leste, ASEAN’s 11th member, and several African nations. He also underscored Japan’s commitment to supporting the development of modern technical solutions and demining equipment.
The JICA delegation’s mission included visits to key facilities across the country: The Techo Peace Museum in Siem Reap; Mine clearance operations in Samlot district, Battambang province; The Techo Heritage Development Centre; The CMAC Technical Institute in Kampong Chhnang province.
Mr. Tachibana expressed strong interest in CMAC’s post-clearance agricultural development programmes, which he described as an essential pillar for building sustainable peace, reducing poverty, and improving the quality of life for Cambodian communities.
