H.E. KUNG Phoak, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, recently led Cambodia’s delegation to the 17th Meeting of the High-Level Task Force on ASEAN Community’s Post-2025 Vision (HLTF-ACV) held from October 29 to November 1, 2024, in Hoi An, Vietnam. In his capacity as ASEAN SOM Leader and Cambodia’s Eminent Person for the HLTF-ACV, H.E. KUNG Phoak contributed to pivotal discussions centered on ASEAN’s future, aligning the region’s political and security objectives within the broader ASEAN Community Vision 2045. His leadership reflects Cambodia’s commitment to fostering greater integration and resilience in Southeast Asia through strategic cooperation and forward-looking planning.
During the meetings, the task force engaged in formulating the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Strategic Plan, a core component of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. This strategic plan aims to strengthen ASEAN’s collective security and political stability by promoting peace, cooperation, and shared prosperity across member states. The discussions focused on reinforcing the region’s ability to address emerging security challenges, ensuring a stable foundation for ASEAN’s growth over the next two decades.
A significant part of the gathering involved interface sessions between the HLTF-ACV and various ASEAN bodies, including the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre). The Executive Director of the AHA Centre provided insights into the importance of disaster preparedness and response in maintaining regional stability, emphasizing how coordinated humanitarian efforts contribute to ASEAN’s long-term security and resilience. By sharing strategies and best practices, these sessions highlighted the necessity of regional solidarity and readiness in addressing humanitarian challenges, such as natural disasters, that can disrupt social and economic stability.
Further enriching the task force’s deliberations, the Chairman of the Centre for Strategic Studies and International Relations Development (CSSD) contributed valuable insights on regional security dynamics and cooperative measures to bolster ASEAN’s strategic standing on the global stage. These dialogues underscored the task force’s commitment to creating a unified approach in the political-security domain, addressing current threats while building a sustainable roadmap for the region’s future. The APSC Strategic Plan, when finalized, will serve as a framework to guide ASEAN in reinforcing regional stability, security, and cooperation amid a changing geopolitical landscape.
Following the HLTF-ACV Meeting, the Cambodian delegation, alongside other ASEAN representatives, participated in a Regional Consultation to review the ASEAN Community Blueprints 2025 and outline directions for the next phase. The consultation provided an opportunity to assess the successes and challenges of the ASEAN Blueprint 2025, drawing lessons that will be essential for crafting the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. The collaborative effort aimed at fostering a resilient, inclusive, and forward-looking ASEAN community—one capable of adapting to evolving global trends while enhancing social, economic, and political cooperation among member states.
The review of the ASEAN Community Blueprints 2025 was essential to understanding ASEAN’s progress and areas for improvement, as well as identifying strategies to strengthen ASEAN’s adaptability in response to new challenges. By evaluating the achievements and limitations of the 2025 blueprint, member states laid the groundwork for a visionary, cohesive strategy to guide ASEAN towards sustainable development and economic resilience. This process also highlighted ASEAN’s role as a regional entity that prioritizes peace, stability, and the welfare of its people.
H.E. KUNG Phoak’s leadership in this high-level dialogue demonstrated Cambodia’s dedication to contributing actively to ASEAN’s collective vision. His engagement in the discussions emphasized Cambodia’s commitment to promoting ASEAN unity, strengthening political-security frameworks, and supporting regional mechanisms that address security, disaster preparedness, and economic integration. The outcomes of these deliberations are expected to shape ASEAN’s direction significantly, ensuring the region remains a stable and cooperative environment where member states can thrive together.
By contributing to ASEAN’s post-2025 vision, Cambodia is playing a substantial role in the region’s trajectory towards 2045. These consultations marked an essential step toward a shared ASEAN identity that values collaborative resilience and long-term stability. The outcomes from Hoi An will be instrumental as ASEAN moves forward, setting the stage for a robust and united community prepared for future challenges and opportunities.
Source: MFAIC
