Cooperation & Region: Cambodian top diplomat highlights ASEAN’s key strengths

For the 57th anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Cambodian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation H.E. Sok Chenda Sophea emphasised the pivotal strengths of the ASEAN, positioning the bloc as a “model of regional cooperation and solidarity”.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation H.E. Sok Chenda Sophea

According to the diplomat, the 57th anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a momentous occasion for all citizens of the region. In his ASEAN Day Message on 8 August 2024, he observed that for almost six decades, ASEAN has worked assiduously to ensure the preservation and reinforcement of its centrality and unity. The centrality of ASEAN is the driving force behind the substantive dialogue and cooperation with external partners, which is aimed at maintaining peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia. “This reflects the ASEAN commitment to a region that is economically vibrant, socially just, and culturally interconnected“.

“ASEAN represents a model of regional cooperation and solidarity on the international stage. Collectively, we have established a flourishing community that espouses shared values and mutual interests while confronting common challenges”.

“One of the organisation's principal strengths is its commitment to the principle of solidarity among its members. By means of dialogue, diplomacy and mutual respect, the Member States of ASEAN have collaborated closely to establish a harmonious environment conducive to stability, economic growth and social development. Furthermore, the Cambodian top diplomat posited that the concept of Unity in Diversity serves to reinforce ASEAN's resilience. "We take pride in our considerable diversity of cultures, traditions, languages, and histories, which serve as a source of strength and creativity for our region," he stated.

He went on to acknowledge that, despite the common ground that unites us, there are inevitable differences and occasional disagreements among us, given the diversity of our respective backgrounds and perspectives. The virtue of ASEAN is not to erase our differences; rather, it is to facilitate our ability to perceive beyond them, to navigate through them, and to transcend them.

As H.E. Sok Chenda Sophea observed, the growing geopolitical rivalries are reflected in the increasingly central role and relevance of ASEAN as a beacon for friendly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation. This is evidenced by the growing interest from non-regional countries in acceding to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC).

"To navigate this landscape effectively, it is essential to demonstrate our capacity for innovation and adaptation while preserving our unity and centrality”.

“By upholding the organisation's core values, enhancing regional cooperation and forging robust external partnerships, ASEAN will be able to address challenges and seize opportunities to foster peace, stability and prosperity for all members and the wider region. On this ASEAN Day, it is fitting to celebrate the considerable progress that has been made collectively over the decades. As the ASEAN flag is raised, it should serve as a symbol of our shared pride and unity. The future will undoubtedly present a number of challenges. However, it seems reasonable to suggest that the spirit of cooperation and resilience that characterises ASEAN will enable us to overcome these challenges and bring about peace, stability and prosperity in the region for the benefit of our peoples”, he concluded.