In a significant development, Cambodia has played a key role in promoting regional cooperation and strengthening the commitment to nuclear disarmament in Southeast Asia. On 8 July 2025, His Excellency Deputy Prime Minister PRAK Sokhonn, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, attended the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Interface with the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) Representatives and the Meeting of the Commission of the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Interface with AICHR Representatives focused on the 2025 Annual Report of the AICHR and approved its Priority Programmes/Activities for 2026. The Interface also looked forward to the approval of the Five-Year Work Plan of the AICHR (2026-2030) at the upcoming 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, aiming to strengthen collaboration among ASEAN Member States in promoting and protecting human rights.
During his remarks, His Excellency Deputy Prime Minister commended the steady progress made by AICHR in mainstreaming human rights across three ASEAN institutions. He urged AICHR to build on this positive momentum and enhance its work through the upcoming Five-Year Work Plan, aligning with broader regional priorities in line with ASEAN Vision 2045.
The Meeting of the SEANWFZ Commission reaffirmed ASEAN’s commitment to preserving Southeast Asia as a region free of nuclear weapons and all other weapons of mass destruction. His Excellency Deputy Prime Minister highlighted the growing significance of the SEANWFZ Treaty in the current global geopolitical landscape, reiterating ASEAN’s collective call for Nuclear Weapon States (NWS) to formally recognize the Treaty.
Bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the Meetings were also held between Cambodia and its neighboring countries. His Excellency Deputy Prime Minister and Her Excellency Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines, discussed preparations for the upcoming state visit to Cambodia by His Excellency Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., President of the Philippines. The two leaders also exchanged views on regional cooperation and deepening their bilateral relationship.
Furthermore, His Excellency Deputy Prime Minister and His Excellency BUI Thanh Son, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, commended the growing cooperation between Cambodia and Vietnam, including in areas such as investment, tourism, people-to-people exchanges, and connectivity. The two sides discussed preparations for the upcoming 21st Meeting of the Joint Commission between Cambodia and Vietnam.
In conclusion, Cambodia’s leadership in promoting nuclear disarmament and regional cooperation is a significant step towards advancing shared goals and strengthening ASEAN’s reputation as a Community committed to protecting human dignity and promoting universal human rights.
This article will be updated as more information becomes available.
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Title Generated Title: Cambodia Leads Southeast Asia in Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Efforts
On 8 July 2025, His Excellency Deputy Prime Minister PRAK Sokhonn, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, attended the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Interface with the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) Representatives and the Meeting of the Commission of the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Interface with AICHR Representatives focused on the 2025 Annual Report of the AICHR and approved its Priority Programmes/Activities for 2026. The Interface also looked forward to the approval of the Five-Year Work Plan of the AICHR (2026-2030) at the upcoming 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, aiming to strengthen collaboration among ASEAN Member States in promoting and protecting human rights.
During his remarks, His Excellency Deputy Prime Minister commended the steady progress made by AICHR in mainstreaming human rights across three ASEAN institutions. He urged AICHR to build on this positive momentum and enhance its work through the upcoming Five-Year Work Plan, aligning with broader regional priorities in line with ASEAN Vision 2045.
The Meeting of the SEANWFZ Commission reaffirmed ASEAN’s commitment to preserving Southeast Asia as a region free of nuclear weapons and all other weapons of mass destruction. His Excellency Deputy Prime Minister highlighted the growing significance of the SEANWFZ Treaty in the current global geopolitical landscape, reiterating ASEAN’s collective call for Nuclear Weapon States (NWS) to formally recognize the Treaty.
Bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the Meetings were also held between Cambodia and its neighboring countries. His Excellency Deputy Prime Minister and Her Excellency Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines, discussed preparations for the upcoming state visit to Cambodia by His Excellency Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., President of the Philippines.
The two leaders also exchanged views on regional cooperation and deepening their bilateral relationship. Furthermore, His Excellency Deputy Prime Minister and His Excellency BUI Thanh Son, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, commended the growing cooperation between Cambodia and Vietnam, including in areas such as investment, tourism, people-to-people exchanges, and connectivity.
The two sides discussed preparations for the upcoming 21st Meeting of the Joint Commission between Cambodia and Vietnam. In conclusion, Cambodia’s leadership in promoting nuclear disarmament and regional cooperation is a significant step towards advancing shared goals and strengthening ASEAN’s reputation as a Community committed to protecting human dignity and promoting universal human rights.