National
• 3 hours ago• Lim_Rothanaksambath
Cambodia Condemns Use of Cluster Munitions at Vientiane Review Conference
PHNOM PENH, September 14, 2026 – Cambodia has declared its firm opposition to and condemnation of the use of cluster munitions, with Senior Minister Ly Thuch announcing the Kingdom's position at the Third Review Conference of the Convention on Cluster Munitions in Vientiane, Laos.
Speaking as head of the Cambodian delegation, Ly Thuch noted that Cambodia has spent more than 33 years clearing landmines and explosive remnants of war, releasing over 3,500 square kilometres of land and destroying millions of pieces of ordnance. However, hundreds of square kilometres remain to be addressed.
The Senior Minister stated that Cambodia had not expected to restart this work. But in 2025, amid the Cambodia-Thailand border conflict, cluster munitions were used on Cambodian territory and communities, creating nearly 4,000 square kilometres of newly affected areas—of which close to 3,000 square kilometres were contaminated by cluster munitions.
He emphasized that the new threat has impacted civilians and increased the burden on Cambodia's clearance efforts. Civilians, particularly farmers, have been killed and injured, while more than 20,000 people remain displaced and unable to return to their homes.
Ly Thuch reiterated Cambodia's position: "Although Cambodia is not a State Party to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, Cambodia fully supports the objectives of the Convention and has never produced or used cluster munitions." Cambodia has declared its opposition to and condemnation of the use of such weapons and stands ready to share its experience in clearance, risk education, and victim assistance with countries in need.
— Source: Ly Thuch Official Page
Reported by The Khmer Daily Network
Speaking as head of the Cambodian delegation, Ly Thuch noted that Cambodia has spent more than 33 years clearing landmines and explosive remnants of war, releasing over 3,500 square kilometres of land and destroying millions of pieces of ordnance. However, hundreds of square kilometres remain to be addressed.
The Senior Minister stated that Cambodia had not expected to restart this work. But in 2025, amid the Cambodia-Thailand border conflict, cluster munitions were used on Cambodian territory and communities, creating nearly 4,000 square kilometres of newly affected areas—of which close to 3,000 square kilometres were contaminated by cluster munitions.
He emphasized that the new threat has impacted civilians and increased the burden on Cambodia's clearance efforts. Civilians, particularly farmers, have been killed and injured, while more than 20,000 people remain displaced and unable to return to their homes.
Ly Thuch reiterated Cambodia's position: "Although Cambodia is not a State Party to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, Cambodia fully supports the objectives of the Convention and has never produced or used cluster munitions." Cambodia has declared its opposition to and condemnation of the use of such weapons and stands ready to share its experience in clearance, risk education, and victim assistance with countries in need.
— Source: Ly Thuch Official Page
Reported by The Khmer Daily Network
