Remarks by Ms. Alissar Chaker, Resident Representative, UNDP Cambodia
Australia and UNDP Contribution Arrangement Signing Ceremony: Clearing for Result Phase 4 Project
January 30, 2025

H.E. Ly Thuch, Senior Minister, First Vice President of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority
H.E. Derek Yip, Australian Ambassador to Cambodia
Excellencies, distinguished guests, and colleagues.
Australia has been a long-term partner of the mine action sector in Cambodia since the early 1990s. Specifically, it has participated in and steered the Clearing for Results since its inception in 2006, investing over 57 million Australian Dollars in improving the safety and livelihoods of people in the most affected provinces of Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, Pailin, and Preah Vihear and strengthening the national capacity and leadership of the sector. During the current phase 2020 -2025, the project cleared and released 140 km2 of mine-contaminated land, benefitting over a quarter of a million people as of December 2024.
Today, Australia tops up its contribution by another 2 million Australian Dollars bringing it to 22% of the project's total budget. My sincere appreciation to His Excellency Derek Yip and his team and the people of Australia at large for their solidarity and steady commitment to ending the threats of landmines and Explosive Remnants of War in Cambodia and strengthening lasting peace, human dignity and international cooperation.
My tribute goes also to the unsung heroes, the women and men deminers, who work diligently day in and day out to make Cambodia a safer place.
I would like to end by celebrating the key role of CMAA under the leadership of H.E. Senior Minister Ly Thuch, which has made this project and the mine action sector a success. UNDP is proud to have been working closely with CMAA since its establishment in 2000 and looks forward to closing the sad chapter of the conflict together.
Thank you.