His Excellency KUNG Phoak, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for Cambodia, and the country’s ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) Leader, hosted a significant meeting with His Excellency Dato’ Sri Amran Mohamed Zin, Malaysia’s ASEAN-SOM Leader, on 9 May 2024, at the ASEAN Secretariat.
The focus of the discussion was on the collaborative efforts within ASEAN and strategies pertaining to Malaysia’s upcoming role as the Chair of ASEAN in 2025. The meeting represented a strategic platform for both nations to acknowledge their roles and set the stage for future leadership within the regional intergovernmental organization.
His Excellency KUNG Phoak and His Excellency Dato’ Sri Amran Mohamed Zin delved into the cooperative aspects of the association, examining initiatives that could potentially elevate the region’s international profile under Malaysia’s chairmanship. The prelude to Malaysia’s chairmanship role provided an opportunity for both leaders to outline a roadmap that includes sustainable and productive ASEAN-wide initiatives.
The engagement between the Cambodian and Malaysian SOM leaders was indicative of the region’s willingness to strengthen ties and work collaboratively on shared goals. The dialogue fostered an environment conducive to exploring novel approaches for tackling regional challenges and enhancing ASEAN’s operational effectiveness.
As Malaysia prepares to assume the ASEAN Chairmanship, the contributions and insights from Cambodia are likely to play a critical role in steering the organization towards fulfilling its ambitious objectives. The bilateral meeting between the two SOM leaders was not only about discussing future plans but also about reaffirming mutual support and understanding among member states.
This interaction underscores the importance of preparatory meetings to ensure that the pillars of the ASEAN Community – political-security, economic, and socio-cultural – are fortified through concerted efforts. The meeting paved the way for ASEAN to potentially unveil transformative policies and projects that can lead to regional prosperity and harmony, which will be central to Malaysia’s tenure as the chair.
The talks culminated with a consensus on the necessity for continued dialogue and exchange of ideas among ASEAN members. Both Cambodia and Malaysia expressed optimism toward joint endeavors that could drive the region forward and make a significant impact on the international stage during the ASEAN-Malaysia Chairmanship year and beyond.
Source: MFAIC
