Mondulkiri, January 21, 2026  Seven indigenous communities in northeastern Cambodia have received Indigenous Communal Land Title (ICLT) certificates under the Land Allocation for Social and Economic Development Project III (LASED III), marking a major step toward strengthening land tenure security for Indigenous Peoples. The certificates were officially granted during three ceremonies held on January 20–21 in Kratie, Mondulkiri and Ratanakiri provinces, presided over by H.E. Say Samal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction (MLMUPC). Speaking at the final ceremony in Mondulkiri on January 21, the Deputy Prime Minister said the issuance of Indigenous Communal Land Title certificates helps end long-standing uncertainty over land tenure between private landholdings and the collective lands of Indigenous Peoples. He added that the move also responds to concerns raised by the United Nations and the World Bank regarding the security of indigenous land tenure in Cambodia. Under LASED III, Indigenous Communal Land Titling goes beyond the issuance of legal documents and aims to safeguard the identity, culture and livelihoods of Indigenous Peoples. Unlike individual land ownership, communal titles recognize collective ownership by entire communities, converting land from state ownership to legally protected communal private land. An Indigenous Communal Land Title typically covers not only residential areas but also agricultural land, swidden land, burial grounds and spirit forests—protecting the broader ecosystem on which indigenous communities depend. By the end of 2025, a total of 55 indigenous communities nationwide had successfully obtained communal land titles. Of these, 48 communities were registered under the Land Administration Sub-Sector Program, while seven communities received titles with support from LASED III, which has planned to support a total of 11 communities. At the ceremonies, the Kroal Indigenous Community in Srae Chis village, Srae Chis commune, Ou Kriengsaenchey district, Kratie province received 39 land titles. In Mondulkiri province, the Bunong Indigenous Community in Lam Meh village, Bou Sra commune, Pichreada district was granted 123 titles. In Ratanakiri province, five indigenous communities received a combined total of 262 land titles. These included the Kroeng Indigenous Community in Khmaeng village, Pouy commune, Ou Chum district; the Brao Indigenous Community in Kam Phlenh village, Lbang Muoy commune, Lumphat district; the Kroeng Indigenous Community in Svay village, Pouy commune, Ou Chum district; the Tum Puon Indigenous Community in Pa Ar village, Lung Khung commune, Bar Kaev district; and the Kroeng Indigenous Community in Thuoy Tum village, Cha Ung commune, Ou Chum district. In total, the Indigenous Communal Land Titles granted to the seven communities cover an area of 7,572.571 hectares, benefiting 1,068 indigenous families across Kratie, Mondulkiri and Ratanakiri provinces. (Story by Leak Ratna, Communications Specialist, LASED III, Photo: MLMUPC)