In the latest discussion with Ruslan Stefanchuk via a video conference, Hun Sen mentioned that Cambodia would take into account the 10-point formula proposed by the chairman for restoring Ukraine’s territorial integrity and peace,and deferred the decision on attending the upcoming Summit on Peace in Ukraine to the government of Cambodia. The senate president emphasized the importance of the participation of all parties, especially Russia in the peace summit.
Importantly, during his tenure in 2023, ex-premier Hun Sen also voiced concerns about the possible use of cluster munitions in the ongoing Russian-Ukraine war. He urged all relevant parties to refrain from deploying such weapons as they would have devastating effects on innocent civilians, continuing even long after the war’s end. Cambodia’s own traumatic history of prolonged conflict serves as a grim reminder of the severe consequences of these weapons. It has taken Cambodia years to annihilate these hidden dangers, yet the mission is far from completed.
Certainly, as a small country, Cambodia does not have significant influence over the parties involved in the Russia-Ukraine war to cease fighting or engage in negotiations. However, some analysts argue that without meaningful dialogue among the stakeholders, the war is likely to persist even longer, leading to further loss of innocent lives and causing tragedy as well as socio-economic devastation to the affected nations. In fact, it is essential to re-establish rightful, legal borders to show that aggression will not be tolerated. However, foreign policy must not only be desirable but also practical and achievable.
In October 2022, Cambodia aligned with 142 nations to support a resolution upholding the UN Charter’s principles and condemning Moscow’s annexation of four Ukrainian regions, while neighboring countries chose to abstain. As a responsible member of the United Nations (UN), Cambodia adheres to international law, including the principles outlined in the UN charter, and advocates the rules-based international order by enhancing bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
It is worth noting that the senate president Hun Sen, highly considered as the statesman as well as the architect of Cambodia’s foreign policy, has brought a depth of experience to elevate the country’s strategic position in the regional and global scales, boosting economic growth, maintaining political stability, and strengthening diplomatic relations with neighboring countries and global partners.
As a post conflict country, Cambodia’s foreign policy is shaped by its historical painful experiences, emphasizing the immense importance of the peace and security for its survival. Thus, after attaining completely hard-earned peace in 1998, Cambodia has strived to make remarkable progress in human development, economic growth, and building strong ties with other countries both inside and outside the region. This progress has been driven by the Kingdom’s political stability, inclusive development policies, as well as its proactive approach to regional and global engagement.
Though Buddhism is the state religion, Cambodia is also home to other sizable religious groups including Islam and Christianity. Nevertheless, Buddhist and non-Buddhist communities have co-existed peacefully by adhering to the principle of religious tolerance for centuries. This religious peaceful co-existence has been nurtured by the government’s inclusive development policies and collaboration among relevant stakeholders. Consequently, Cambodia is viewed as the society upholding religious harmony where all citizens are offered complete freedom of religion without discrimination. In this sense, Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) chief Dr. Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen has regarded Cambodia as “a beacon of peace and tolerance” and a good model for other nations to follow.
Once isolated by the world during the dark period of genocide, Cambodia has actively engaged in regional and international organizations, for these institutions have been instrumental in protecting its security, peace, and development, and also facilitating its integration into regional and global networks.
For instance, Phnom Penh considers ASEAN, an essential security shield, safeguarding its independence and sovereignty from invasion and interference. The Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) emphasizes mutual respect for independence, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity, and national identity of all states.
Most importantly, Cambodia’s commitment to upholding the principles of the ASEAN Charter, including respect for territorial integrity and non-interference in the internal affairs of member states, has enhanced the ASEAN centrality and unity in the regional architecture. Clearly, notwithstanding facing significant challenges, Cambodia managed to successfully host the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits and Related Summits during its chairmanship in 2022, showcasing the essential importance of ASEAN centrality and ASEAN-led mechanisms in advancing regional peace, security, stability, and prosperity.
Given its past experiences with war, Cambodia’s foreign policy is dedicated to promoting international peace through the values of equality and rights for all. Thus, in spite of limited resources, Cambodia has actively participated in UN peacekeeping missions since 2006. As of December 2023, Cambodian peacekeepers have been deployed to 12 missions in nine countries, with a total of 9,205 personnel, including 726 female peacekeeping officers. These blue helmets have bravely served in conflict zones worldwide, providing humanitarian aid and maintaining peace and order under the UN’s peacekeeping efforts, playing a pivotal role in upholding global peace and security.
Additionally, through years of dedicated work in mine action, Cambodia has shared its demining expertise and best practices to experts and delegates from various regions by hosting humanitarian demining trainings, as well as mine action workshops and conferences. Certainly, this sharing has not only helped enhance the capacity and efficiency of demining endeavors worldwide, but also stimulated international collaboration and partnerships in the sphere of mine action.
Obviously, diplomacy, at its core, involves a government’s approach to handling global affairs, aligning with its national interests, and gaining “public support”. In today’s interconnected world with escalating challenges, “effective state diplomacy” is vital and it should center on forging alliances, fostering cooperation, seeking common ground for mutual interests and understanding, as well as safeguarding peace and prosperity for all countries in line with international law, specifically the principles enshrined in the UN charter.
To navigate complex geopolitical and economic landscapes and secure a prosperous future, it is necessary for Cambodia to apply an integrated approach to diplomacy, utilizing all forms of diplomacy with the incorporation of strategic foresight and a strong diplomatic capacity to advance its national interests.