Prime Minister Hun Sen said the highest priority area for ASEAN now is recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic while strengthening resilience against future economic disruptions. SPM
Prime Minister Hun Sen said even though ASEAN is facing enormous challenges due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the geo-political rivalry between China and the US, Cambodia is ready to take the chair of the ASEAN community in less than five months from now.
Hun Sen affirmed the stance in a four-page message to commemorate the 54th anniversary of the establishment of ASEAN on August 8, 1967. Cambodia joined in 1999.
After praising the achievements ASEAN has accomplished, Hun Sen said: “Now, ASEAN is facing a huge obstacle in its path. The severe impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic – which began early last year – has largely pushed regional and global economies into recession and caused immense hardship in people’s lives.
“At the same time, growing geo-political rivalry between major powers has escalated into trade and technology wars and this puts greater pressure on peace, security and further prosperity in ASEAN as a whole,” Hun Sen said.
These challenges also included the emerging and non-traditional issues such as the pace of societal transformation due to technology, climate change and degradation of the environment as well as transnational crimes including illicit drugs, human trafficking and terrorism.
"During its ASEAN chairmanship year of 2022, Cambodia will endeavour to promote an action-oriented approach that is based on openness, honesty, good faith, solidarity, and harmony within ASEAN to effectively address the common challenges facing our region," he said.
He said Cambodia will seek to ensure tangible benefits for the peoples across the whole region, without leaving anyone behind and made possible with the support and strong solidarity of ASEAN member states and their external partners.
According to Hun Sen, the highest priority area for ASEAN now is recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic while strengthening resilience against future economic disruptions.
The next priority, he said, was to cooperatively strengthen the implementation of ASEAN’s five comprehensive recovery framework goals which are enhancing health systems, strengthening human security, maximising the potential of the intra-ASEAN market and broadening economic integration, accelerating inclusive digital information and advancing toward a more sustainable and resilient future.
Cambodia intends to advance ASEAN initiatives such as the master plan on ASEAN connectivity 2025 and the ASEAN integration initiative phase IV. ASEAN is still an important region for trade, investment and global production chains through the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement, he said.
“We will try to promote the protection of migrant workers and increase the support agenda on green and inclusive development. The adoption of digital technology by small and medium-sized enterprises, women and youth entrepreneurs will be areas of focus,” he said.
He said Cambodia will continue to promote a positive image of ASEAN on the international stage and keep the region active in peacekeeping missions under the UN, including mine clearance.
“As we continue on this journey together, I am confident that ASEAN is well prepared to overcome all the unprecedented challenges in order to prove once again that we have the determination and capability to further strengthen and promote peace, stability, security and prosperity in the region for the wellbeing of our peoples,” he said.
Chheang Vannarith, president of the Asian Vision Institute, said Cambodia will need to address many issues once it holds the ASEAN chair.
"Navigating ASEAN through an intensifying geopolitical rivalry, finding solutions to the political crisis in Myanmar, maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea, and building ASEAN back better and stronger from the health crisis are the key challenges that Cambodia will need to address next year," he said.
Kin Phea, director of the Royal Academy of Cambodia’s International Relations Institute, said this is the third time that Cambodia has been the ASEAN chair and this proves that Cambodia has integrated itself into the regional and global power structures and governing architectures.
Phea said ASEAN is facing many other challenges such as water use issues in the Mekong region, vaccination diplomacy issues, cybercrime, transnational crime, poverty and homelessness and migrant workers, among others.
"Therefore, Cambodia’s role as chair of ASEAN in 2022 is an opportunity for the country to show its ability to jointly solve these complex challenges," he said.
