PHNOM PENH, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia has made significant contributions to maintaining peace, stability and economic prosperity in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the past 25 years, says ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn.
In a congratulatory message to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, the ASEAN chief said 2024 marks a quarter of a century since Cambodia officially became the 10th member of the ASEAN on April 30, 1999.
"Since its accession to ASEAN, Cambodia has made great strides towards fostering the region's peace, stability and economic prosperity," Kao Kim Hourn said in the message dated Wednesday and released to the media on Friday.
"Despite the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Cambodia has succeeded in maintaining high economic growth of more than 5 percent in the last two consecutive years while recording important achievements in social, educational and cultural development," he added.
He said for ASEAN, the admission of Cambodia expanded the geographical coverage of the regional organization to almost all countries in Southeast Asia.
"Undoubtedly, Cambodia has made major contributions to the ASEAN Community-building efforts and its leadership role has been particularly felt during its ASEAN chairmanships in 2002, 2012 and most recently in 2022," he said.
Kao Kim Hourn said Cambodia has championed ASEAN's key initiatives such as post-conflict peacebuilding and reconciliation, the implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, the development of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), among others.
"Together with the other ASEAN member states, Cambodia continues to promote cooperation between ASEAN and its external partners, enhancing ASEAN's role and position in ASEAN-led mechanisms," he said.
The ASEAN chief is fully confident that under Hun Manet's able stewardship, Cambodia will continue to make significant contributions to the ASEAN Community-building.
"I would like to reaffirm the ASEAN Secretariat's readiness to render our fullest support to Cambodia and ASEAN in achieving our collective goal of a peaceful, stable and prosperous ASEAN Community," Kao Kim Hourn said.
ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. ■
