Image from Borneo Bulletin/ANN
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Nov 7 (Borneo Bulletin/ANN): Cambodia, as Asean Chair for the year 2022, will become the region’s focus this November as it hosts the 40th and 41st Asean Summits and Related Summits.
Asean leaders and dialogue partners will gather to advance discussions on agendas and priorities under the three Asean Community pillars, namely the Asean Political-Security Community, Asean Economic Community and Asean Socio-Cultural Community as well as strengthen Asean’s cooperation with its dialogue partners.
Brunei king Sultan Hassanal Bolhiah is expected to attend the Asean Summits, which will be held in Phnom Penh from November 10-13. This includes His Majesty’s attendance, along with other leaders, to the opening ceremony of the Asean Summits and gala dinner that will be hosted by Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen.
Under the theme ‘Asean Act: Addressing Challenges Together,’ Cambodia underscores Asean’s spirit of “Togetherness” as one community that is harmonious, peaceful, stable and prosperous, responding and tackling regional and global challenges such as climate change, food security and regional security threats as well as advancing post-Covid-19 recovery, sustainable development, trade and technology.
The Brunei Sultan last visited Phnom Penh in 2012 to attend the 20th ASEAN Summit, the 21st Asean Summit and Related Summits that were hosted by Cambodia. Following the ASEAN Summits and Related Summits in Phnom Penh, His Majesty will hold a state visit to Cambodia on November 14, which will mark His Majesty’s second state visit to the country since his first from April 4-7, 2007.
His Majesty, among other things, is expected to meet His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia; and also hold discussions with Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Cambodia on the strengthening of bilateral and multilateral cooperation before witnessing the signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding between the two governments.
His Majesty’s state visit to Cambodia reaffirms the close bilateral relations and further emphasises the need to continue to expand cooperation for greater benefits of the peoples of both countries, including cooperation in the fields of trade, education, youth, sports and culture.
This year, Brunei and Cambodia commemorate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations that were established on June 9, 1992. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
