Ambassador Keo Chhea, permanent representative of Cambodia to the UN, during the ‘UN Charter at 80: Reimagining Conflict Prevention and Resolution’ event on Jan 16. - Photo: Cambodia Mission to UN
PHNOM PENH: Cambodia remains committed to international law and upholding the UN Charter, although it has observed that violations of state sovereignty, encroachment on and occupation of territorial integrity, remain unabated.
Ambassador Keo Chhea, permanent representative of Cambodia to the UN, delivered the remarks during the Jan 16 “UN Charter at 80: Reimagining Conflict Prevention and Resolution” discussion, at the UN headquarters in New York, the US.
The event was organised by the Permanent Mission of Pakistan, elected non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2025-2026 term.
Chhea reminded the attendees that the UN Charter is the solid foundation for multilateralism and the rules-based international rule of law. He said Cambodia strongly believes that preventive diplomacy and mediation are effective and cost-efficient tools for conflict prevention and resolution.
He added that early engagement, confidence-building measures and impartial good offices remain essential in preventing disputes from escalating into conflicts.
“As a peace-loving small state, Cambodia has consistently adhered to the principles of peaceful settlement of disputes and regional arrangements, as enshrined in Chapters VI and VIII of the UN Charter respectively,” he said.
Citing Senate president Hun Sen’s “war cannot end war” slogan, Chhea said that Cambodia had gone through decades of war to lasting peace — achieved through the win-win policy of Hun Sen.
“The threat or use of force has no place in Cambodia’s policy nor in our conduct of international relations,” he stressed.
“However, Cambodia — like many other nations — observes that violations of state sovereignty, encroachment on and occupation of territorial integrity, and the selective application of international law remain unabated,” he added.
Chhea said he observed that when international law is abused and compromised, the UN Charter is undermined, and the credibility of the shared institution that has been highly valued most is eroded.
“Whatever challenges we face, Cambodia remains committed to international law, to upholding the UN Charter in both word and practice, and stands ready to work with partners and stakeholders to advance international peace and security for our world’s communities,” he said. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
