In a significant engagement for Southeast Asia’s diplomatic calendar, His Excellency KUNG Phoak, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) Leader for Cambodia, represented his nation at the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Senior Officials’ Meeting. This essential assembly occurred in Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, on the 8th of June, 2024.
The forum provided a pivotal platform for senior officials from ASEAN member states and dialogue partners to come together. The meeting centered around analyzing the achievements and outcomes stemming from the ARF’s array of meetings and activities conducted throughout the inter-sessional year of 2023-2024. A significant portion of the discussions was dedicated to evaluating, discussing, and subsequently endorsing various Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) and Preventive Diplomacy (PD) initiatives slated for the upcoming inter-sessional year of 2024-2025.
The gathering also offered an opportunity to deliberate on the ARF’s future trajectory, a crucial conversation given the forum’s role in fostering dialogue and cooperation on political and security issues in the Asia-Pacific region. Participants at the meeting engaged in a meaningful exchange of views on a diverse range of regional and international issues, highlighting the complexity and interconnectedness of challenges facing the region today.
His Excellency KUNG Phoak’s attendance and participation underscore the significance Cambodia places on regional collaboration and its active role within the ARF context. His contribution to the forum reflects Cambodia’s dedication to furthering peace, security, and stability in the region through constructive dialogue and practical cooperation.
Additionally, the meeting underscored the ARF’s standing as a key mechanism for security dialogue in Asia, aiming to bolster peace and tranquility through preventive diplomacy and confidence-building measures. As the region grapples with dynamic changes and evolving challenges, forums like the ARF Senior Officials’ Meeting remain crucial in navigating the path towards a secure and prosperous future for Southeast Asia and its surrounding areas.
Source: MFAIC
