Phnom Penh (FN), Nov. 11 – Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen believed that ASEAN leaders shared a sense of urgency to work together in addressing common challenges.

The premier spoke at the opening of the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits and Related Summits, held on Friday morning (Nov 11) in Phnom Penh.

“While we are now enjoying the fruits of our efforts and moving towards sustainable growth, we should always be vigilant as the current socio-economic situation in ASEAN as well as in the whole world remains fragile and divided. We are now at the most uncertain juncture; the lives of millions in our region depend on our wisdom and far sight, our right decisions and policies, and our realistic approach to address the strategic challenges we all face,” the premier underlined.

“There is a saying that disasters and crisis can bring out the best in people. In this connection, I believe that all of us, gathering here today, share a sense of urgency to work together in addressing the above common challenges. I also believe you would agree that this year's theme "ASEAN A.C.T.: Addressing Challenges Together" fits the present context and time relevant,” premier Hun Sen underscored.

Samdech continued, “I have to say that despite the colossal challenges, we all have concluded the ASEAN Foreign Ministers, Socio-Cultural Community Ministers, Economic Ministers, Defense Ministers and other Ministerial Meetings with satisfactory results, showing solidarity towards multilateralism, maturity in our engagement diplomacy, and our determination for peace, stability and the sense of humanity for all. I trust that the spirit of cooperation and constructive contribution, shown so far, will prevail during our deliberations for the next 4 days.”

“As 2022 draws to a close, the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits and related ASEAN Summits with our partners shall be instrumental in realizing ASEAN's 2022 key deliverables and priorities and mapping out our future cooperation directions. During these meetings, we will adopt and note a long list of over 100 outcome documents to guide our actions and cooperation for the coming years.”
=FRESH NEWS