Senior Minister of the Royal Government of Cambodia H.E. OUCH Borith, addressed the “Economic and Social Forum: Strengthening the Cooperation and Coordination and Jointly Seeking Asian Development", themed "Upholding Dialogue of Civilisation to Advance Human Civilisation and Progress" On Nov. 16 in Beijing, China.
The Senior Minister emphasised Asia’s historical significance as one of the earliest human settlements and a vital cradle of human civilisations. Drawing to Cambodia’s rich history, he highlighted the ancient Kingdom’s active engagement in exchanges with other nations through the Maritime Silk Road between the 1st and 6th centuries.
Highlighting the rich diversity of Asian and global civilisations, H.E. OUCH Borith commended the Global Civilisation Initiative (GCI), initiated by H.E. President Xi Jinping, which values in-depth inter-civilisational exchange and dialogue to advance human progress and foster mutual appreciation of our shared hopes and prosperity.
The Senior Minister also lauded the Global Development Initiative (GDI), and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in driving high-quality development and promoting connectivity across Asia, Europe, Africa and Latin America through infrastructure, people-to-people exchange, human resources development, and green growth and climate resilience. Cambodia pledged continued collaboration to implement these initiatives in the interest of all nations.
H.E. OUCH Borith highlighted Cambodia’s remarkable progress on many fronts, thanks to the enduring peace and stability and mutually beneficial cooperation and support from China and other friendly countries and organizations. Over the past two decades, poverty fell steadily at an average annual rate of 1.6 percent. Cambodia’s economy grew by more than 7 percent a year until COVID-19 broke out. The Kingdom’s resilient response to the COVID-19 with support of bilateral and multilateral partners showcased its effectiveness in pandemic control and recovery.
The Senior Minister outlined Cambodia’s new development strategy, aiming for a higher middle-income status by 2030 and a high-income nation by 2050. To this end, the Royal Government of Cambodia is fully committed to the 25-year Pentagonal Strategy, aligning with the principles of inclusiveness, peace and stability, sustainability, and the open and rule-based international cooperation.
As an ASEAN member, Cambodia is committed to active engagement in multilateral cooperation, advocating for free and open trade while rejecting protectionism, unilateralism, and economic nationalism. H.E. OUCH Borith concluded, “Asia's continued development relies upon strengthened collaboration and partnership, leveraging our diversity as strength. Through open and inclusive platforms, we can overcome challenges and maximising opportunities for mutual gains.”
Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse