Phnom Penh, 22 November 2024 – Samdech Rathsaphea Thipadei Khuon Sudary, President of the National Assembly and member of the Standing Committee of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP), attended the opening of the 12th General Assembly of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) on Friday.

Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, President of the CPP, President of the Senate and Honorary President of the General Assembly, presided over the opening with Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Vice President of the CPP, Prime Minster and President of the ICAPP meeting.

Speaking at Vimean 7 Makara, Samdech Techo Hun Sen said the General Assembly was crucial to promote multilateralism and cooperation based on the principles of mutual respect, mutual trust, mutual understanding and mutual benefit.

He recalled Cambodia’s concrete experience in achieving full peace in 1998 under the Win-Win Policy, noting that the Paris Peace Agreements of 23 October 1991 did not bring complete peace.

Samdech Techo Hun Sen also recalled his significant role in four years of tense peace negotiations with then Prince Norodom Sihanouk starting in 1987. 

When the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) ended its mission in 1993, however, the country remained divided with continued conflicts. 

Through the Win-Win Policy that Samdech Techo crafted to balance peace, national reconciliation, and transitional justice, Cambodia achieved complete peace for the first time in 500 years in December 1998.

In separate remarks, Samdech Hun Manet said all countries should adhere to a rules-based international order by promoting peace and avoiding interfering in each other’s internal affairs that could trigger unrest or regime change.

The Prime Minister said that extremist politics should be condemned and not used to grab power.

Cambodia is willing to contribute to building a peaceful, prosperous, and multilateral global community, he said, expressing hope that the General Assembly  will contribute to international peace-building through the ICAPP family. 

The General Assembly in Phnom Penh is meeting under the theme “A Quest for Peace and Reconciliation” in response to regional and global conflicts, and is attended by over 200 delegates, from 42 countries, 55 political parties.