Phnom Penh, August 14, 2025 — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Collaboration has issued a clear statement to dispel recent misinformation surrounding an alleged official meeting of the Ottawa Convention scheduled for August 15 in Bangkok. The spokesperson, Chum Sounry, emphasized that such claims are unfounded and seek to distort the facts about Cambodia’s stance and the ongoing international processes related to landmine diplomacy.

In a briefing held today, Chum Sounry clarified that the upcoming event in Bangkok is not an official meeting of the Ottawa Convention’s Parties, as some reports have suggested. “The Ottawa Convention, which aims to eliminate anti-personnel mines globally, holds its formal Meetings of States Parties annually, under the direction of the current Presidency,” he explained. The next official gathering is planned for December 1–5, 2025, in Geneva under the leadership of Japan. The Bangkok event, scheduled by Thailand, is purely a diplomatic briefing and does not form part of the Convention’s formal agenda.

The spokesperson went further to address concerns about international participation, stating that the attendance at the Bangkok briefing is by invitation only and does not imply any political endorsement or consensus. “States often attend such briefings to listen and gather information; it does not automatically mean they agree with any allegations or statements made,” added Chum Sounry. He reaffirmed that the Ottawa Convention remains centered on humanitarian principles and operates on a non-politicized basis.

Regarding organizational involvement, Cambodia also clarifies that the Convention Secretariat is not involved in the planning or execution of the Bangkok event. The Secretariat’s mandate is exclusively tied to managing official treaty meetings and supporting treaty implementation, not organizing unilateral political briefings.

Finally, the government emphasized Cambodia's unwavering commitment to the Convention. Chum Sounry explicitly rejected claims suggesting Cambodia refuses to cooperate on mine action issues. “Cambodia is a dedicated State Party; we fully comply with our obligations,” he said. “We support fact-based investigations and work closely with bilateral partners and ASEAN to address mine contamination. We oppose politicization that undermines the neutrality of the Convention.”

Addressing concerns about border landmines, Cambodia reaffirmed its stance: “We categorically reject any baseless claims that Cambodia has planted new landmines along our borders.” The government reiterated its readiness for genuine, impartial cooperation and called on Thailand and other neighbors to avoid politicizing the Convention for bilateral disputes.

Cambodia’s leadership emphasized its commitment to transparency and constructive dialogue, calling for continued international collaboration rooted in facts rather than misinformation. The government expressed hope that future engagements on mine action would be conducted based on mutual trust and shared humanitarian objectives.

As the international community observes the upcoming developments, Cambodia remains dedicated to upholding its commitments under the Ottawa Convention and advancing efforts to eliminate landmines for the safety of all.