Cambodia

Madam President, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen delegates,

I would first like to warmly congratulate Her Excellency Annalena Baerbock on her election to the presidency of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. I congratulate His Excellency Philémon Yang for the firm leadership he demonstrated during the 79th session. The Pact for the Future adopted during his term found its place in this year's theme, "Better Together: 80 Years and More Peace, Development and Human Rights," illustrating the spirit of continuity and cooperation that sustains this august world body in remaining a beacon of hope for all of humanity.

This year's theme is not a mere slogan. It is a solemn reminder that the promise of the UN endures only when we are united, when we cultivate solidarity among nations and peoples, and when we measure success not solely in national terms, but according to the common well-being of the citizens of the world.

Eight decades ago, in the aftermath of a devastating world war, nations, large and small, united behind a single vision: peace, development, and human dignity can only be guaranteed through collective action.

Yet, as we gather to celebrate this important milestone, the ideals of multilateralism are being tested. Geopolitical divisions have worsened: rivalries between major powers too often hinder Security Council decisions, leaving crises unresolved in many regions of the world and millions of lives at risk. The world is now confronted with the harsh reality that "might makes right" and that interdependence is no longer the cornerstone of peace, but rather a tool of threat and coercion.

If we truly believe that we are "better together," we must reinvigorate confidence in multilateral institutions, invest in preventive diplomacy, and ensure that the UN is equipped — politically and financially — to respond decisively and effectively to both longstanding and emerging challenges.

Madam President, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Allow me to speak about peace and to do so from lived experience. For decades, war and genocide traumatized our people and destroyed our country. Dialogue, and not war, between two true statesmen, our late King Father, His Majesty Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk and our former Prime Minister, Samdech Techo Hun Sen, both blessed with wisdom, willpower and genuine patriotism, had engendered the peace process and national reconciliation. It is now well known that peace was finally achieved through the Win-Win Policy of Samdech Techo Hun Sen that ended 30 years of conflict without a single bullet being fired.

We remain forever grateful to the many countries, and to the UNPKO, that have extended support to Cambodia throughout the peace process. Across our towns and villages, the words "We Thank Peace" are not mere decoration—they are a daily affirmation that peace is our nation's most precious treasure.

This peace allowed us to rebuild from complete ruin. Before the pandemic, our economy achieved an average annual growth of around 7%, positioning Cambodia to graduate from Least Developed Country status by 2029. Through this development, millions have been lifted out of poverty in the past decades. We are grateful for our partners who are supporting Cambodia towards smooth graduation through, among others, open and inclusive trade.

Guided by our Pentagonal Strategy, Cambodia aligns its development agenda with the Sustainable Development Goals. We officially launched, last year, the Roadmap to achieve the Universal Health Coverage in Cambodia by 2035 and expanded access to quality education, ensuring that our youth are equipped for a changing world. Our women now hold leadership positions in government and private enterprises at unprecedented levels, strengthening the fabric of our society.

We are firmly committed to protecting and expanding the civic space and strengthening democratic governance, knowing that development and human rights are inseparable pillars of lasting peace.

On climate action, one of humanity's greatest collective tests, Cambodia has submitted its third Nationally Determined Contribution to the UNFCCC; last June, we signed the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) and already deposited our ratification instrument earlier this month. These steps reflect our belief that environmental stewardship is a global duty and a moral imperative.

With the complete peace at home, Cambodia has been able to offer our humble contribution to peace building and peace keeping around the world. From a country once hosting UN peacekeeping mission, Cambodia has become a steadfast contributor to global security. Since 2006, we have deployed over 10,000 peacekeepers—more than 800 of them women—to ten UN missions across the globe. They have protected civilians, cleared landmines, and support rebuilding war-torn communities. We are currently an active member of the UN Peacebuilding Commission, helping nations emerging from conflict to build institutions and foster reconciliation.

Madam President, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Cambodia's transformation embodies the UNGA-80 theme, namely countries once in need can now become providers of peace and stability for others. It is therefore deeply painful to inform this august Assembly that the hard-won peace that we so profoundly cherish and wholeheartedly share around the world is today threatened in our own home. Not by internal division like in the past, but by border conflict with a neighbour.

We are grateful that a ceasefire, brokered by US President Trump, effectively halted armed clashes that had caused deaths, injuries and destructions, and the displacement of hundreds of thousands innocent civilians.

However, the ceasefire remains very fragile despite expressed commitment from both countries on the sincerity to strictly comply with the ceasefire terms, to rebuild trust and restore normalcy. But sincerity is only credible and trust can only flourish when respect with both the letter and the spirit of the agreements matches with real action on the ground. Sadly, continued unilateral moves to impose territorial sovereignty from our neighbour, using forces instead of agreed mechanisms, unilateral maps instead internationally recognized ones that were produced in accordance with treaties that bind the two countries, and countless other actions undermine these trust building and peace efforts.

Of great concern is the forced eviction of Cambodian civilians and threats to use national laws against them and to evict hundreds more from the lands they have lived in for decades. Such way of territorial control on the segment of the border yet to be demarcated demonstrates a clear disregard not only for the terms of the ceasefire, but also for the mutual agreements on the settlement of border issues.

In the process, Cambodia's sovereignty and territorial integrity are violated and the rights and dignity of many Cambodians infringed.

Cambodia has consistently and strictly observed the ceasefire, demonstrating good faith and full transparency in the implementation of its terms. We have exercised the utmost restraint, even in the face of repeated incidents and provocations. As recently as this morning, there was an unprovoked attack near a sensitive site, following an allegation that our forces had opened fire first. Our troops have not and even refrained from any retaliatory action, underscoring our commitment to peace.

Guided by the same spirit that ended our internal conflict nearly three decades ago, Cambodia reaffirms its call for dialogue and the peaceful settlement of all outstanding issues. We urge strict and sincere adherence to the agreed terms of the ceasefire, full respect for bilateral agreements, and observance of international law, including the Charters of both the United Nations and ASEAN.

We earnestly seek the continued support and good offices of the ASEAN Chair and member states, the Secretary-General of the United Nations and relevant UN bodies, as well as leaders around the world, to help de-escalate tensions, encourage a peaceful resolution, and prevent any further tragedy.

Cambodia is a small nation focused on rebuilding our economy and improving the well-being of our people. We pose no threat to the sovereignty of any country. While we will always safeguard our independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, the use of force remains a last resort. Cambodia will continue every effort to restore trust and normalcy, to promote harmonious coexistence and good-neighbourly relations, and to transform border areas into zones of peace, friendship, cooperation, and shared prosperity.

Madam President, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

To honor the founders' vision and meet today's realities, the United Nations itself must adapt. Cambodia supports pragmatic, incremental reform - reform that strengthens the UN's effectiveness without undermining the Charter.

We believe that key priorities include:

• Empowering preventive diplomacy and mediation, giving the UN more tools to defuse crises before they erupt.
• Strengthening the General Assembly, which is the most representative body, by giving its resolutions greater follow-up capacity and moral weight.
• Expanding non-permanent Security Council seats to better reflect today's multipolar world and enhance legitimacy of the Council.
• Enhancing peacekeeping and border-monitoring missions, especially in disputed areas, so that small states have equal access to mediation and protection.
• Complementary measures such as funding, technology, and gradual legal adjustments, can turn broad reform principles into concrete progress.

For countries like Cambodia, the UN's greatest strength is not coercive force but its moral authority, legitimacy, and convening power—qualities that can shield small nations and sustain peace.

As we commemorate 80 years of the United Nations, let us honour the vision of its founders by choosing cooperation over confrontation, dialogue over division, and hope over despair.

Cambodia stands ready to work to be "Better Together" with all Member States, the UN system, and our partners worldwide to ensure that the decades ahead are defined by peace, sustainable development, and the unshakable dignity of every human being.

Thank you.