DPM Prak Sokhonn Highlights Important Role of Cambodia as ASEAN Chair 2022

Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign affairs and International Cooperation H.E. Prak Sokhonn has highlighted the important role of Cambodia in becoming the ASEAN chairman for 2022.

“It it is an opportunity for Cambodia to showcase itself and its capability in paving the way for maintaining ASEAN unity, solidarity, durability and centrality,” said the Cambodian top diplomat in his opening remarks of lecture series on "Cambodia & ASEAN and Cambodia as ASEAN Chairmanship 2022" organised by the National Institute of Diplomacy and International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFAIC), via videoconference this morning.

H.E. Prak Sokhonn also raised the challenges that being a Chairman, Cambodia could be faced with and how Cambodia can contribute to the resolving of both regional and international conflicts, especially given the tensions of geopolitical competition among the superpowers and other currently emerging issues.

H.E. Deputy Prime Minister pointed out the achievements of ASEAN, including its legacies as in a number of key regional architectures, which then serves as reassurances to maintain stability and prosperity within the region.

Taking the opportunity, H.E. Prak Sokhonn reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment to the continued promotion of an action-oriented approach that is based on openness, honesty, integrity, good faith, solidarity and harmony within ASEAN to effectively address the common challenges facing ASEAN including traditional and non-traditional issues, emerging non-traditional issues that ASEAN is confronting, and the socio-economic recovery in post Covid-19.

According to the National Institute of Diplomacy and International Relations, the lecture series is aimed at (1) raising awareness of the relations between Cambodia and ASEAN, (2) promoting Cambodia's role and readiness for the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2022, and (3) sharing opportunities and challenges for Cambodia as the ASEAN chairman in 2022 and particularly in the context of COVID-19 pandemic. These series of lecture are divided into three sessions of which the targeted audience includes MFAIC officials, officials from relevant ministries and institutions and Cambodian youth respectively. The lectures are delivered by H.E. Mr. Sim Vireak, Director General of General Department of ASEAN, MFAIC.

Source: Agency Kampuchea Press