KAMPONG SPEU: Speaking at the ribbon-cutting ceremony of a new administrative building in Kampong Speu on October 30, Prime Minister Hun Manet announced that the province is officially the 13th in the country to be declared “mine-free.”

The Prime Minister thanked all the demining specialists who freed Kampong Speu from the threat of unexploded war remnants left over by the Khmer Rouge, the US and Vietnam. "On behalf of the Royal Government and the people of Kampong Speu, I would like to thank all the [demining] operators for their sacrifice to bring us this new success,” he said.

Kampong Speu is the 13th province to be declared completely demined after Stung Treng, Kep, Prey Veng, Phnom Penh, Preah Sihanouk, Tbong Khmum, Kampong Cham, Svay Rieng, Kampong Chhnang, Kandal, Takeo and Kampot Provinces.

The "Cambodia Mine-Free 2025" campaign has been making progress towards its goal of completely ridding the country of mines within the next two years. Millions of landmines are estimated to be hidden in the remaining 12 provinces, mostly in rural areas along Cambodia’s borders. Unexploded war remnants continue to take Cambodian lives decades after the warring factions declared a ceasefire.

Cambodia has received millions of dollars in demining aid over the years from other countries like China, Japan and Norway. Cambodian peacekeeping soldiers for the UN are often deployed to other countries due to their expertise in the field.

On Monday, the Prime Minister promised, “Cambodian people will not be affected by landmines after 2025."