PHNOM PENH: During a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, on Saturday, 12 November 2022, Prime Minister Hun Sen requested Australia to continue providing support for demining, in order to help Cambodia reach its goal of becoming mine-free by 2025.

The Cambodian Prime Minister praised the Australian Government for its contribution to the peace-building process and its continued support for Cambodia's socio-economic development through the provision of official development assistance in various fields, including education, agriculture, infrastructure, demining, health, and especially the timely delivery of nearly 3 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines and other medical devices.

In turn, Prime Minister Albanese informed Prime Minister Hun Sen that Australia will continue to support Cambodia in all areas, including its sustainable economic development, digital economy, smart energy, green economy, and other sectors to contribute to the stability and prosperity of Cambodia and other countries in the region.

It should be noted that under the first phase of the Prime Minister's Mine Action Project operation, the CMAC has been tasked to clear mines in five provinces: Takeo, Kampot, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Cham, and Svay Rieng, covering a total area of ​​nearly 3,000 hectares. As October 2022, this task has achieved almost 80% of its goal.