Phnom Penh - Mine action in Cambodia has come of age. The painstaking efforts that began about two decades ago have freed more than 700 square kilometres of land from landmines and explosive remnants of war. In 2011, the number of landmine casualties has never been lower. The casualty number stood at 211, a dramatic decrease compared to peak number of 4,320 in 1996. Last year, some 3,329 rural Cambodian families consisting of more than 15,000 people received the cleared land to build houses on and to use for agricultural purposes. Another 41,951 households that made up of 205,370 people also benefited indirectly from the cleared land which has been used to build roads, pagodas and schools for children to get education.

Phnom Penh – Green growth is good but is not enough. It is sustainable development that really matters to put Cambodia on the right path to poverty alleviation and ensure that growth will not be detrimental to the wellbeing of future generations, Selva Ramachandran, a division chief of the United Nations Development Programme, said.

Siem Reap – It was mid-afternoon and Ms. Sim Eang, 42, was preparing to water the eggplants she is growing in her front lawn. Normally, she would make rounds of carry buckets of water on her shoulder to feed the plants, but not anymore.

Oddar Meanchey – For many years, Buddhist monks and villagers here have been leading the fight to protect the forests in this northwestern part of Cambodia from illegal logging and concessions. Against all odds and pressures they have met in their mission, their efforts are now about to pay off.

Phnom Penh – Preparation is gathering steam for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development to be held in Brazil on 20-22 June this year. In Cambodia, the government has begun reviewing development gains and gaps in gearing towards the upcoming global forum known as the Rio+20 conference.