KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA — His Excellency Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia, participated in the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Interface with the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) Representatives and the Meeting of the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Commission, held in Kuala Lumpur at the invitation of H.E. Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad Bin Haji Hasan, Foreign Minister of Malaysia and Chair of ASEAN.
ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Interface with AICHR
The Interface reviewed the 2025 Annual Report (July 2024–June 2025) and approved AICHR’s Priority Programmes/Activities for 2026. Ministers also looked forward to endorsing AICHR’s Five-Year Work Plan (2026–2030) at the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting to strengthen collaboration in promoting and protecting human rights in the region.
H.E. Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn commended AICHR’s efforts in mainstreaming human rights across ASEAN’s three Community pillars and encouraged broader engagement with ASEAN Dialogue Partners, Sectoral Bodies, civil society, and academic institutions.
He also urged AICHR to build upon its achievements and align its future goals with ASEAN Vision 2045, addressing emerging challenges and advancing ASEAN’s role in protecting human dignity and promoting universal human rights.
SEANWFZ Commission Meeting
The Meeting reaffirmed ASEAN’s commitment to a nuclear-weapon-free Southeast Asia and highlighted the importance of fully implementing the SEANWFZ Treaty’s Plan of Action (2023–2027). Ministers welcomed progress on the biennial UN resolution on the Treaty and stressed the need to enhance the Treaty’s international profile.
H.E. Prak Sokhonn emphasized the Treaty’s growing relevance amid global geopolitical shifts and reiterated ASEAN’s call for Nuclear Weapon States (NWS) to formally recognize the SEANWFZ Treaty. He welcomed China’s readiness to sign the Protocol without reservations and commended Timor-Leste’s accession progress ahead of the 47th ASEAN Summit in October.
Bilateral Meetings
On the sidelines, H.E. Prak Sokhonn met with H.E. Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, to discuss preparations for the upcoming state visit to Cambodia by H.E. Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., President of the Philippines. Both sides emphasized the importance of the visit and explored avenues to strengthen cooperation and regional partnerships.
He also held talks with H.E. BUI Thanh Son, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Viet Nam. Both officials praised the growing frequency of high-level exchanges and discussed cooperation in investment, tourism, connectivity, and people-to-people exchanges. They reviewed preparations for the 21st Meeting of the Cambodia–Vietnam Joint Commission, to be held later this year in Cambodia.
