Prime Minister Hun Sen addresses at World Economic Forum in 2017. WEF
Prime Minister Hun Sen is set to deliver a speech on the Strategic Outlook on ASEAN during the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Switzerland.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hun Sen, at the invitation of WEF founder and executive chairman Klaus Schwab, will lead the Cambodian delegation at the May 22-26 forum in Davos.
He will be accompanied by Minister of Public Works and Transport Sun Chanthol, Minister of Commerce Pan Sorasak, senior government officials and members of the Cambodian Chamber of Commerce.
The premier will deliver remarks at the closing ceremony of the discussion with stakeholders under the theme “Strategic Outlook on ASEAN”, and at the Informal Gathering of World Economic Leaders’ Lunch, with the theme of “Restoring Peace and Order”, said the foreign ministry in a press release on May 19.
It said that on the sidelines, Hun Sen is also expected to hold meetings with leaders of several countries as well as receive courtesy calls from global political and business figures.
He will also deliver a speech promoting foreign businesses in the Kingdom at the Cambodia Night event sponsored by WorldBridge Group.
Hun Sen will also meet with members of the Cambodian diaspora in Switzerland and other European countries.
After the announcement of his upcoming visit, Cambodians in Europe posted videos expressing their readiness to welcome the prime minister.
“I thank our compatriots living in European countries for releasing their videos to welcome my trip to Europe,” Hun Sen responded on Facebook. “As planned, I will meet with Cambodians in Zurich, Switzerland on May 21. I would like to say goodbye to compatriots in Cambodia for a short period and will meet compatriots in Europe in 60 hours.”
Kin Phea, director-general at the Royal Academy of Cambodia’s International Relations Institute, said that Hun Sen’s attendance at the WEF is important due to the country’s status as this year’s ASEAN chair.
Phea said the trip also reflects Cambodia’s efforts to diversify its diplomacy and build more ties with further flung countries.
“During this trip, when the prime minister meets with other business leaders, it will be an opportunity for Cambodia to demonstrate its potential and willingness to participate in bilateral and multilateral investment and trade activities,” he said.
