PHNOM PENH — Prime Minister Hun Manet took part in the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits in Vientiane during which he was involved in more than 30 meetings with government heads, regional and international institutions as well as development partners, intending to generate benefits for Cambodia while maintaining a stance for peace in any regional or international conflict.

Hosted by Laos, the summits was held on Oct. 8 through 11. This was the 16th time since Hun Manet became prime minister a year or so ago that he was on an international mission, said Cambodia's Minister Delegate attached to the Prime Minister in charge of ASEAN affairs So Naro who briefed journalists on Oct. 11 after Cambodia’s delegation had returned to the country.

As he explained, participants at the summit included the new prime ministers of Singapore and Thailand, as well as non-political delegates from Myanmar, whose seat has been vacant for three years.

During the event held on the theme “Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience,”  ASEAN members reviewed the three pillars—political-security, economic, and socio-cultural communities—and set plans for the next 20 years. The conflict in Myanmar remains a priority for ASEAN, and country leaders hope to see peace and stability restored, Naro said.

With his Laotian counterpart, Hun Manet discussed efforts made to increase trade between the two countries so that it can reach its full potential, he said. They also discussed strengthening the border infrastructure to facilitate merchandise transportation and tourism flow. And they also spoke of the expansion of green-energy supply from both countries and their contribution to the ASEAN electricity grid.

Cambodia and Thailand representatives stressed their commitment to strengthening the friendship and strategic partnership between the two countries for mutual benefits, and brought up the possibility of establishing special economic zones in the provinces along the border between the two countries.

Cambodia and Thailand representatives also reiterated their commitment to increasing cooperation to combat transboundary crimes such as drug smuggling, human trafficking, online scams, and cybersecurity threats. Naro said at the press briefing.

During the ASEAN summits, China announced that Cambodia would receive 300 million yuan ($42 million) to help develop the country’s infrastructure.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang praised Hun Manet's leadership that has ensured political stability, security, and economic growth, Naro said. He added that China will collaborate with Cambodia to develop economic corridors, including a fish and rice corridor, industry and technology corridor, and an ecological agriculture corridor.

At the journalists’ briefing, Jean-Francois Tain, minister delegate attached to the prime minister for foreign affairs and international cooperation, said that Cambodia maintained its stance on the South-China Sea conflict and the Korean Peninsula, which is to encourage negotiation and peace without nuclear weapons.

Cambodia also maintained its position regarding Taiwan, recognizing China as the sole representative of China, while Taiwan is considered an internal matter for China.

With New Zealand representatives, Hun Manet discussed cooperation in education, agriculture, industrial agriculture, energy, trade and people-to-people exchange. New Zealand is committed to increasing human resources in Cambodia through a scholarship program, journalists were told at the briefing.

In the meantime, Canada plans to reopen an embassy in Phnom Penh, they were told. Since 2009, Canada has only maintained consular services in Cambodia, the ambassador being based in Bangkok. Moreover, Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced that, as part of its Indo-Pacific Strategy, a Team Canada Trade Mission will come to Cambodia in 2025 with the goal of improving trade with ASEAN following the signing of the ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement in 2021.

During talks with Luxembourg at the summit, Cambodia discussed increasing cooperation in tourism, banking and finance, digital technology, demining, health and education, Naro said during the press briefing.

Prime Minister Hun Manet also met with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, the head of the European Council Charles Michel, the sultan representing Brunei, as well as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

At these meetings, Hun Manet invited investments from these countries and spoke of cost opportunities with partner countries.

During the ASEAN Summit, the prime minister also met with Tan Sri Nazir Razak, chairman of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) Malaysia; World Bank Vice President for East Asia and Pacific Manuela Ferro; Kenji Okamura, deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund; and so on.