Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet pointed out: "For a very short time, ASEAN and the AFF Forum have been an important platform for frank and forward-looking exchanges on some of the most important issues that our region is facing.
According to the Cambodian Prime Minister, the ASEAN Futures Forum helps parties access challenges before these challenges approach us, through dialogue to approach responsibly.
He also noted that the theme of this year's ASEAN Future Forum: "Shaping a common future: Peace, prosperity, putting people at the center" is very timely, correct and practical.
Recalling the 3 crises that General Secretary and President To Lam mentioned at the Shangri-La Dialogue last week, Prime Minister Hun Manet emphasized 3 important issues related to peace, economy and people in his speech at the ASEAN Future Forum.
Regarding peace, the Cambodian leader pointed out that through dialogue, building trust, respecting each other's independence, sovereignty and internal affairs, and resolving all issues through peaceful measures, ASEAN has become one of the most stable and dynamic developing regions in the world.
In this content, he mentioned the ceasefire taking place between Cambodia and Thailand, affirming that Cambodia continues to emphasize the importance of relations with Thailand - a partner, a neighboring country that helps promote common prosperity and peace.
Cambodia also respectfully thanked the international community, including ASEAN member countries, for helping to build a ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia based on international law, the Charter of the United Nations and ASEAN. "Cambodia wishes to continue to receive this support," he said.
Second, on economics, Prime Minister Hun Manet said that the world is witnessing a series of consecutive crises, which are reverse winds for small countries with high economic openness.
At this forum, we should not forget the importance of preserving all the successes that ASEAN has been able to build over the years, especially on the economic pillar" - Cambodian Prime Minister emphasized.
According to him, all parties must participate and build a system, share economic opportunities for the entire community, as well as continue to coordinate with ASEAN+ mechanisms, take advantage of FTAs, and promote the future of growth, through the use and exploitation of new technologies such as AI, digital transformation, enhanced supply chains, blue sea economy, innovative economy, innovation and application of science and technology.
Third, regarding people, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet clearly stated that in all policies, we must always remember that: Prosperity will be truly valuable when it serves the people. After all, prosperity is not the ultimate goal, so the real value is how we can ensure the dignity of the people as well as ensure livelihoods for the people.
ASEAN's successes cannot be measured only by GDP, trade volume but should be measured by value as well as a warmer and happier life for the people" - he said.
