Prime Minister Hun Sen said the Sunhak Peace Prize 2022 awarded to him is for all the people, not him alone, for their continuous support for peacebuilding process in Cambodia.
Hun Sen made the remarks on February 12 while receiving the Sunhak Peace Prize in a ceremony at the Universal Art Centre in the South Korean capital Seoul.
He thanked the Sunhak Peace Prize committee for acknowledging his achievements in ending the civil war and building a comprehensive, lasting peace in Cambodia.
He said the achievements should be dedicated to the late King Father Norodom Sihanouk and King Norodom Sihamoni who have promoted the spirit of solidarity among Cambodian people as one big family.
He also thanked members of the government and the armed forces for playing important roles in the efforts to build and promote peace in the country.
Hun Sen also thanked other countries and the international community for providing assistance during the peacebuilding process in Cambodia and development aid in the post-conflict era.
He said those who also deserve praises are Cambodian people who have supported and applauded his win-win policy that eventually brought about national reconciliation.
“For me, peace is priceless. Peace is the most beautiful thing; peace brings hope and smiles to every humankind,” he said, adding that he is committed to protecting and promoting it based on Cambodia's experiences of war and peacemaking.
“No peace, no hope! No peace, no development! No pace, no human rights and democracy,” he stressed.
"Although Cambodia is a small country, Cambodia has been contributing forces to participate in [UN] peacekeeping and mine clearance missions in Africa and the Middle East," Hun Sen said.