Phnom penh: The Cambodia-Thailand Joint Coordinating Task Force (JCTF) on Humanitarian Demining convened for its second meeting via a virtual teleconference on October 9. The focus of the meeting was the continued discussion on the preparation of the JCTF Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), which has undergone two rounds of exchanges and revisions between the two nations.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, H.E. Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata, who serves as the Spokeswoman of the Ministry of National Defence of Cambodia, shared updates on the meeting. She emphasized that the SOP aims to establish a standardized operating framework that respects sovereignty and territorial integrity, grounded in the principle of mutual respect. This initiative is expected to aid socio-economic development and enhance safety for populations in regions still affected by landmines and unexploded ordnance from past conflicts.
The Cambodia-Thailand JCTF was formed as a result of the First Special Meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC), which took place on September 10, 2025, in Koh Kong province, Cambodia. This task force represents a collaborative effort between the two countries to address the ongoing challenges posed by leftover ordnance and to ensure the safety and development of affected communities.