The President of the Cambodian Senate, Samdech Techo Hun Sen, was the esteemed guest at a luncheon on Saturday, May 18, held by Japanese Ambassador to Cambodia, Ueno Atsushi. The gathering took place at the ambassador’s residence.
Ambassador Ueno Atsushi commenced the occasion by expressing his delight over the presence of Samdech Techo Hun Sen and other significant members of the Senate leadership. He recounted his observations of the remarkable development in Phnom Penh, highlighting changes since the establishment of the Japanese Embassy in 2002, from the time when the surroundings bore few constructions to the present crowded skyline featuring the Cambodian People’s Party headquarters and the Ministry of Interior’s striking edifice.
During their morning walks, the Ambassador and his spouse often reminisce upon past and present Cambodian leaders, as they view photographs of Samdech Techo Hun Sen alongside distinguished figures like Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet and Samdech Heng Samrin within the embassy compound. Furthermore, Ambassador Ueno Atsushi commented on the sounds of political campaigns within the vicinity, a sign of Cambodia’s active political landscape.
He praised Cambodia’s recurrent election events, supported by Japan since 1993, which he believed have been instrumental in bolstering the nation’s democratic framework.
The Ambassador made note of Samdech Techo Hun Sen’s recent assumption of the Senate Presidency and his energetic involvement in international affairs, including recent meetings with foreign dignitaries and military officials.
The topic of peace and stability was broached, emphasizing its criticality against the backdrop of international conflicts. The Ambassador outlined how the Kingdom’s stability had fostered substantial investment from Japanese enterprises, providing gratitude for Samdech Techo’s interactions with representatives from Toyota following the inauguration of their assembly plant in the country.
Cambodia’s strides in the digital domain have been impressive, exceeding Japan in certain aspects like the prevalent use of QR codes. Japan’s involvement in aiding Cambodia’s digital infrastructure was highlighted, particularly in the establishment of a national data center and the enhancement of digital skills among Cambodia’s youth.
Making reference to international cooperation, the Ambassador mentioned the upcoming Siem Reap-Angkor Summit on a Mine-free World in November 2024 and Japan’s commitment to supporting Cambodia in demining initiatives.
Samdech Techo Hun Sen reminisced about his previous visit to the Japanese Embassy to sign a letter of condolence after the 2011 earthquake in Japan. He underscored Cambodia’s dedication to maintaining regular elections and bolstering political parties since 1993, recalling international support for such processes, especially after the 1997 incidents in Phnom Penh.
Echoing the Ambassador’s sentiments about extremism and democracy, Samdech Techo pointed out the essential need for peaceable elections, not conflict, and highlighted the role of the emerging younger generation in evolving the democratic landscape.
He praised the productive outcomes that emerged out of crisis-induced necessity, such as the rapid adoption of digital platforms for education during the COVID-19 pandemic, which, along with IT reforms in governance, advanced Cambodia’s digital age significantly.
In closing, he expressed gratitude towards Japan for their continued support and their role in the nation’s digital advancements. Moreover, there was a mutual exchange of insights regarding several regional and global issues, with a special focus on the transformative potential of technology in the global economy.
Samdech Techo conveyed his thanks to the Japanese Ambassador for the warm invitation and expressed pleasure for the opportunity to engage in such a fruitful dialogue.
Source: Fresh News
