Phnom Penh:Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet has presented six strategic recommendations aimed at strengthening the Veterans Confederation of ASEAN Countries (VECONAC) to enhance solidarity, cooperation, and the role of veterans in promoting peace and regional development.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, during the opening ceremony of the 25th VECONAC General Assembly at the Peace Palace, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of continuous joint efforts to uphold peace as the foundation for development and prosperity in the region.

He advocated for stronger solidarity, friendship, and cooperation among the veterans' associations of ASEAN Member States, suggesting that VECONAC should remain a platform for exchanging experiences, knowledge, and best practices while promoting joint initiatives that benefit veterans.

Improving the quality of life and welfare of veterans was highlighted as a core focus of cooperation. The Prime Minister urged VECONAC and its member associations to prioritize veterans' health, social protection, livelihoods, and dignity.

He also called for greater recognition of veterans as peace educators and as links between the past, present, and future. The experiences of veterans were described as valuable historical lessons for current and future generations, with an encouragement for VECONAC to facilitate the sharing of these experiences to promote peace, reconciliation, solidarity, and mutual respect among youth.

The Prime Minister urged VECONAC to stay active and resilient in addressing the region's changing dynamics, and he stressed the importance of preserving and promoting the spirit of VECONAC as a unifying force within the ASEAN Community. He encouraged all member associations to uphold VECONAC's core values, which include cooperation, respect for human dignity, and compassion.

Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet expressed strong confidence that the 25th General Assembly would be a significant milestone in enhancing the solidarity, friendship, and cooperation among ASEAN veterans and in promoting VECONAC's role to become more active and effective.

This assembly marks the second time Cambodia has hosted the event, the first being in 2019 under the high presidency of Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, who was then Prime Minister and is now President of the Senate and the Cambodian Veterans and Pensioners Association.