Panelists discuss the role of ASEAN in the new world order at The 2022 ASEAN Leadership and Partnership Forum in Phnom Penh on Sept 12. (XUE JINGQI / CHINA DAILY)
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has called for enhanced cooperation among countries in the region to achieve sustainable economic recovery, in a speech delivered on Sept 11 at a forum where experts also highlighted the benefits of green and digital transitions.
With geopolitical tensions rising, Hun Sen said the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations must be united and that they must strengthen their partnerships in line with the bloc’s theme of “ASEAN A.C.T.: Addressing Challenges Together”, set by Cambodia as the chair of ASEAN in 2022.
“ASEAN must act as a role model and work together to ensure regional peace, stability and prosperity by strengthening ASEAN unity, centrality and strictly adhering to the partnership and multilateral mechanisms to address challenges,” Cambodia’s prime minister said.
At the opening ceremony of The 2022 ASEAN Leadership and Partnership Forum in Phnom Penh, Hun Sen said leadership and partnership are key factors that have enabled ASEAN to overcome obstacles and thrive.
During the event, which was co-organized by Malaysia-based KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific, the ASEAN Business Advisory Council, Phnom Penh-based Asian Vision Institute and the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce, with media support from China Daily, he announced the opening of the ASEAN Economic Club.
To achieve sustainable and inclusive recovery, Hun Sen said ASEAN must continue to promote economic integration in order to become a dynamic trade and investment hub.
ASEAN also needs to promote economic security and seize opportunities arising from global trends such as the circular economy and digitalization, he said.
He reiterated a proposal to establish an ASEAN Green Deal for the region’s transition to sustainable development.
In addition, the prime minister expressed his support at the forum for the establishment of the Cambodian Economic Development Fund, which will contribute to the digital transformation and technological development of the country, as well as the provision of skills and equipment for the workforce in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Hun Sen also welcomed an initiative by the KSI and the Asian Vision Institute to establish a green economic zone.
“Cambodia is ready to host the very first green economic zone,” he said.
Cambodian Minister of Commerce Pan Sorasak said the 54th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ meeting and related gatherings from Sept 14-18 will further “discuss many important agendas concerning ASEAN economic integration, as well as consultation with our dialogue partners on various issues”.
“For every ASEAN chairmanship there are always challenges, but not (to) the extent (faced by) Cambodia’s chairmanship,” said Sok Siphana, senior advisor to the Cambodian government and chairman of the board of directors of the Asian Vision Institute, referring to issues such as geopolitical rivalries, food and energy crises and supply chain disruptions.
Sok Siphana said people should remain optimistic about the outlook for ASEAN as it covers one of the most robust regions with a population of over 600 million.
“Cambodia is one of the fastest-growing countries in the world,” said KSI President Michael Yeoh, also the forum’s founder and chairman, noting the country has maintained an average annual growth rate of 7.7 percent since 1998.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen speaks at The 2022 ASEAN Leadership and Partnership Forum in Phnom Penh. (XUE JINGQI / CHINA DAILY)
Commenting on Cambodia’s success in COVID-19 vaccinations, Yeoh said the governments of ASEAN have played a big role in promoting the post-pandemic recovery.
“Moving forward, ASEAN will need the 3Ts: tech, talent and trust,” said Yeoh, adding it is important to facilitate the role of the private sector in accelerating this growth.
Delivering a speech on revitalizing agriculture, Zuraida Kamaruddin, Malaysia’s minister of plantation industries and commodities, said the country has been working to ensure that the palm oil industry operates in accordance with environmental, social, and corporate governance criteria.
Yet Malaysia has been sanctioned by countries like the United States over allegations of forced labor. The minister said the claims are not true and that ASEAN countries have the right to stop this kind of “bullying”.
During the two-day forum themed “Partnership for a Cohesive and Responsive ASEAN”, panelists explored key topics including post-pandemic recovery, ASEAN centrality, digitalization and sustainable development.
Chhem Kieth Rethy, minister delegate attached to the Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation of Cambodia, said ASEAN and the world need to address the current pandemic and prepare for future outbreaks.
Chhem said a new type of leadership is needed to ensure preparedness and to harness technology as a tool to address both present and future challenges.
Mohd Munir Abdul Majid, chairman of ASEAN Business Advisory Council Malaysia and chairman of think tank CARI ASEAN Research and Advocacy, said the private health sector in ASEAN comprises about 53 percent of the region’s total health sector, which makes it necessary to engage them when addressing public health emergencies and disease.
Noting that 77 percent of Southeast Asians live along the coast or in low-lying delta areas, which are threatened by floods, he said there should be a public-private ESG framework for the implementation of the green transition process, especially in the energy sector.
Albert Oung, founder and president of the World Green Organization and chairman of Hong KongMyanmar Chamber of Commerce, said he was happy to see that the Cambodia prime minister supported the establishment of an ASEAN Green Deal.
Asian Vision Institute President Chheang Vannarith said the institute is working to develop a concept note related to the ASEAN green economic zone for submission to the prime minister for leaders’ consideration before the East Asia Summit, which will be held on the sidelines of the 40th and 41st ASEAN summits and related meetings in November.
Acknowledging China’s progress in promoting green development, Chheang said China can play a role and work with ASEAN to jointly pursue green development.
Yao Yuya, CEO of Chinese tech company Huawei Technologies Cambodia, said “digital Infrastructure, particularly connectivity including mobile network, fiber network is the very foundation of digitalization”.
At a forum event on Sept 11, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn said the bloc has been working for the return to normalcy in Myanmar, where the military took power on Feb 1, 2021.
The solution to the Myanmar crisis must be a Myanmar-owned and led one, he said.
“The journey to peace and national reconciliation will be long, difficult, turbulent and uncertain,” said Prak.
“All ASEAN 9 are determined to help Myanmar, but for that to be successful, Myanmar has to help us to help her.”
