Phnom Penh:Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of Cambodia and First Vice President of the Cambodian Veterans and Pensioners Association, led the opening ceremony of the 25th General Assembly of the Veterans Confederation of ASEAN Countries (VECONAC) at the Peace Palace.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, Prime Minister Hun Manet praised VECONAC's contributions since its founding on December 19, 1980, highlighting its role as a bridge for friendship, solidarity, and cooperation among veterans' organizations across ASEAN. He emphasized the organization's humanitarian efforts in enhancing the quality of life, welfare, and social protection for veterans and war-disabled individuals, as well as its influence in maintaining regional peace and stability and promoting sustainable development.
The Prime Minister noted the vital role of veterans in defending history, independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity in Cambodia, Indochina, and the broader ASEAN region. He cited Cambodia's Win-Win Policy as a pivotal strategy that ended prolonged civil conflict and achieved national unity and peace, emphasizing the significant involvement of veterans and retired personnel in this process.
Hun Manet underlined the importance of remembering the contributions and sacrifices of veterans with gratitude and transforming war experiences into lessons for peace. He called for VECONAC to continue its "sacred mission" of advocating for veterans' welfare and serving as a guardian of peace, urging collective efforts to enhance the organization's effectiveness.
The 25th VECONAC General Assembly serves as a platform for veterans from ASEAN countries to strengthen solidarity, friendship, and cooperation, while promoting veterans' welfare and their role in maintaining peace, advancing social development, and building a sustainable ASEAN Community.
In Cambodia, the government remains committed to supporting veterans and retired personnel through various programs, including social security, healthcare, family assistance, social land concessions, housing, scholarships, and vocational training. The Cambodian Veterans and Pensioners Association continues to develop communities for veterans and their families on social land concession areas to improve living standards and establish dignified livelihoods.
The association, initially established as the Cambodian Veterans Association in 2007, expanded its membership to include retired civil servants under the guidance of Samdech Techo Hun Sen, leading to its current name, the Cambodian Veterans and Pensioners Association.