The Cambodia Closure Initiative, led by the University of Hawaii-Manoa and the UCLA Center for Archaeological Research and Recovery in collaboration with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), is an innovative archaeological program designed to address the ongoing search for missing U.S. service members in Southeast Asia. This initiative aims to combine the scientific rigor of archaeology with the deeply human goal of providing closure to families of those who remain unaccounted for from past conflicts.

Scheduled to take place in Siem Reap, Cambodia and Ifugao, Philippines, the field training component offers a unique opportunity for Southeast Asian archaeologists to acquire advanced and innovative field and laboratory skills. By engaging in excavation, recovery, and forensic analysis, participants will advance their expertise in modern archaeological methods. The initiative also serves as a venue for collaboration across state boundaries, promoting regional and international partnerships that will strengthen heritage management and recovery efforts.