(Phnom Penh): Cambodian Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn highlighted three key priorities for ASEAN to navigate geopolitical and internal tensions, according to the outcomes of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat seen by Fresh News on Saturday (Jan. 31).

During the meeting, the foreign minister noted that the foundations of regional peace and regional prosperity are being tested by increasingly complex and interlinked challenges.

He underscored that ASEAN must navigate geopolitical and internal tensions, rapid technological changes, climate risks, and major socio-economic transitions.

In this context, he highlighted three priorities. First, strengthening trade and investment within ASEAN and with external partners remains vital to shared prosperity, including through the modernization of existing free trade agreements.

Second, ASEAN must deepen regional connectivity and enhance the advance development of the ASEAN power grid.

Third, ASEAN must empower micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) through capacity building, improved access to finance, and the adoption of new technologies in order to enhance productivity and competitiveness, ensuring that the people of ASEAN benefit from deeper integration and new growth sectors.
=FRESH NEWS