Cambodia's FM Urges ASEM to Promote Peace and Prosperity
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Synopsis
Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn emphasized the importance of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in promoting peace, sustainable development, and shared prosperity among its partners, highlighting its role as a crucial multilateral platform in today's geopolitical landscape.
Key Takeaways
- ASEM aims for peace and sustainable development.
- Commemorates nearly three decades of cooperation.
- Represents a significant portion of global GDP and population.
- Focuses on political dialogue and economic cooperation.
- Addressing global challenges is essential for ASEM's future.
Phnom Penh, March 2 (NationPress) Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn stated that the biennial Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) must persist in its efforts for peace, sustainable development, and shared prosperity among its partners.
In a message honoring ASEM Day, Sokhonn, who also serves as deputy prime minister, noted that ASEM Day celebrates the establishment of a significant multilateral initiative that has been in place for nearly three decades, focused on building lasting cooperative partnerships across various sectors between Asia and Europe, as reported by Xinhua.
Since its inception in 1996, ASEM has emerged as a platform of considerable global significance, he remarked, highlighting that with 53 partners from both continents, it encompasses about 65 percent of the global GDP, 60 percent of the world’s population, 75 percent of global tourism, and 68 percent of global trade.
"Founded on the principles of consensus, equal partnership, mutual respect, and shared interests, ASEM has reached remarkable milestones," he stated.
"Through its political, economic, and socio-cultural pillars, ASEM has driven notable advancements in political dialogue, economic cooperation, trade and investment, and collaborative efforts to address global challenges, including enhancing connectivity, tackling climate change, and dealing with a variety of security issues such as counter-terrorism, irregular migration, maritime security, and cybersecurity," he added.
Sokhonn emphasized that with the escalating pressures from geopolitical rivalries and conflicts in numerous nations, the resilience of the ASEM partnership is more vital than ever.
"It is crucial that ASEM persists in pursuing peace, sustainable development, and shared prosperity for all its partners," he affirmed.
He expressed that despite ongoing challenges, Cambodia remains optimistic that ASEM will continue to serve as a vibrant platform for multilateralism to confront current and future global challenges.
"Cambodia will remain actively involved in the ASEM process, contributing to the continuous enhancement of Asia-Europe relations," Sokhonn concluded.
