Phnom Penh, 24 November 2024 – Samdech Rathsaphea Thipadei Khuon Sudary, President of the National Assembly of Cambodia, co-chaired the first meeting of the 11th Plenary Session of the International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace (IPTP) on Sunday.

The Honorable Ahmed bin Mohamed Aljarwan, President of the Global Council for Tolerance and Peace, co-chaired the meeting under the theme: “Advancing the Global Architecture of Peace, Peacebuilding, Reconciliation and Tolerance: Synergy of Governments, Parliaments and Civil Society.”

In her opening remarks, Samdech Khuon Sudary thanked delegates for their active participation in the quest for world peace.

Other speakers included the Honorable Dr. Dev Raj Ghimire, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nepal, the Honorable Celmira Sacramento, President of the National Assembly of Sao Tomé and Principe, His Excellency Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, the Honorable Andres Pastrana, President of Centrist Democrat International and Her Excellency Siti Rozaimeriyanty Dato Haji Abdul Rahman, Secretary General of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly.

Speakers underscored the value of peace and reaffirmed their commitment to advancing parliamentary diplomacy, strengthening dialogue and cooperation, and upholding the principles of pluralism, mutual trust, respect, and appreciation to address challenges threatening peace. 

They stressed that peace, tolerance, and reconciliation must be inclusive and all-encompassing. They praised Cambodia's emerging from war and achieving full peace, noting that its unique experience can be studied and learned from.

Samdech Khuon Sudary meanwhile congratulated Samdech Techo Hun Sen, President of the Senate, for receiving from IPTP leaders the "Peace Prize: For Humanity and the Planet” earlier Sunday. The prize recognizes the great sacrifices he made in pursuing peace and national reconciliation for Cambodia.

“I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Samdech Techo Hun Sen for being awarded a Peace Medal,” she said.  "Samdech truly deserves it. And on behalf of the Cambodian people, we thank you for leading us to lasting peace.”

In a special lecture at the opening of the Plenary Session, Samdech Techo Hun Sen said that while war can break out in an instant, achieving and safeguarding peace is far more challenging. 

He noted Cambodia’s unwavering determination to maintain peace for its people and its active role in contributing to global peace efforts.

Hosting the IPTP meeting is a source of pride for Cambodia to promote parliamentary diplomacy for peace sustainability and development for citizens around the world.

On Monday, the final session of the meeting is scheduled to adopt a Peace Charter and a Declaration.