The Kingdom of Cambodia actively participated in a series of meetings within the framework of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to review economic progress and discuss priority objectives for regional economic integration. Led by Tith Rithipol, Under Secretary of State of the Ministry of Commerce (MoC), the Cambodian delegation engaged in these discussions, reinforcing Cambodia’s commitment to fostering economic cooperation within the ASEAN community.
The First Meeting of the ASEAN Senior Economic Officials for the Fifty-Fifth Economic Ministers’ Meeting (SEOM1/55) was a key event held in Vientiane, the capital of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR), from January 18-20. Under the theme “Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience,” this meeting was convened under the chairmanship of ASEAN 2024, with the aim of monitoring progress and discussing crucial elements of ASEAN economic integration, including the annual priorities for 2024 and the updated status of related economic agreements within the ASEAN region.
One of the central topics of discussion at SEOM1/55 was the priority economic deliverables (PEDs) under the leadership of Lao PDR, which holds the chairmanship in 2024. The meeting also included the consideration of reports from various sectoral bodies, preparations for the 30th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Retreat Meeting, and an update on the progress of ASEAN’s dialogue partnerships.
In addition to SEOM1/55, Tith Rithipol led the Cambodian delegation to participate in the Sixteenth Meeting of the Committee of the Whole for the ASEAN Economic Community (16th CoW Meeting) and the 2nd Meeting of the ASEAN Focus Group on Global Value Chain (FG-GVC). These gatherings provided an invaluable platform for Cambodia to engage with fellow ASEAN member countries, including Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Timor-Leste, Philippines, Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, and Cambodia itself.
Furthermore, Rithipol took part in the twenty-sixth Cambodia-Lao PDR-Myanmar-Vietnam Senior Economic Officials Meeting (26th CLMV SEOM) hosted by Lao PDR in Vientiane. During this meeting, participants reviewed and discussed various priority issues on the agenda, including the implementation of the CLMV Action Plan 2023-2024, the Implementation Plan of the Framework for CLMV Development, and the Implementation of the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Work Plan IV 2021-2025.
Cambodia’s involvement in these ASEAN meetings highlights the nation’s commitment to regional economic cooperation and integration. Since becoming an ASEAN member in 1999 and a World Trade Organization (WTO) member in 2004, Cambodia has actively participated in the ASEAN Free Trade Areas (AFTA) and has forged critical ASEAN Plus FTAs with China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand, India, and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). These agreements have positioned Cambodia within the world’s largest free trade area and have extended to bilateral FTAs with major economies such as China, the Republic of Korea, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), strengthening its role in the global supply chain and expanding its economic horizons beyond national borders.
Source: Khmer Times
