AKP Phnom Penh, October 5, 2026 --

Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia and First Vice President of the Cambodian Veterans and Pensioners Association, presided over the opening ceremony of the 25th General Assembly of the Veterans Confederation of ASEAN Countries (VECONAC) at the Peace Palace this morning.

Speaking at the event, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet highly valued VECONAC’s contributions since its establishment on Dec. 19, 1980, describing the organisation as a bridge for friendship, solidarity and cooperation among veterans’ organisations and associations across ASEAN.

The Prime Minister said VECONAC is not only an important humanitarian force in improving the quality of life, welfare and social protection of veterans and war-disabled people, but also an influential regional mechanism contributing to the maintenance of peace and stability and the promotion of sustainable development.

He noted that, whether in Cambodia, Indochina or the wider ASEAN region, veterans are regarded as defenders of history, independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and the right of peoples to determine their own destiny and choose development paths suited to the historical and cultural contexts of their respective societies.

Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet highlighted Cambodia’s experience in ending decades of prolonged civil war through the Win-Win Policy, which he said restored national and territorial unity and brought full peace to the country for the first time in 500 years of history.

He stressed that veterans and retired personnel were direct actors who played an important role in implementing the Win-Win Policy. They opened their hearts to national reconciliation among all parties and embraced the spirit of “Win-Win, with no losers,” without the use of even a single bullet.

“No one understands peace better than veterans,” he said, adding that they are among the most effective advocates for peace.

In this regard, the Prime Minister said VECONAC has a “sacred mission” not only to care for veterans’ welfare but also to serve as a strong guardian of peace. He called for joint efforts to further enhance VECONAC’s effectiveness in fulfilling this noble mission.

Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet stressed the need to ensure that the contributions and sacrifices of veterans and retired personnel are remembered with gratitude, while the experiences and lessons of war are transformed into lessons for peace.

He also called for the solidarity of veterans to become a force contributing to the building of an ASEAN Community characterised by peace, stability, friendship, well-being and long-term prosperity for present and future generations.

The 25th VECONAC General Assembly provides an important opportunity for veterans from ASEAN countries to reaffirm their shared commitment to strengthening solidarity, friendship and cooperation among veterans’ organisations and associations, while exchanging experiences, promoting veterans’ welfare and encouraging their participation in maintaining peace and stability, advancing social development, and building a strong and sustainable ASEAN Community.

In Cambodia, the Royal Government has continued to pay high attention to veterans and retired personnel by implementing key support programmes, including social security and healthcare services, assistance to families of fallen and deceased personnel, social land concessions and housing construction, as well as scholarships and vocational training for children and dependants of poor veterans and retired personnel.

At the same time, the Cambodian Veterans and Pensioners Association has continued to promote the development of veterans’ and retired persons’ communities on social land concession areas provided by the Royal Government. The initiative aims to enable veterans, retired personnel and families of fallen and deceased personnel facing difficult living conditions to establish livelihoods and improve their living standards with dignity.

The Cambodian Veterans and Pensiners Association, formerly known as the Cambodian Veterans Association, was established through the First National Congress of Representatives of Cambodian Veterans Associations on June 21, 2007.

With the attention and guidance of Samdech Techo Hun Sen, President of the Cambodian People’s Party, the scope of the association was later expanded to include retired former civil servants from various ministries and institutions as members. Its official name was subsequently changed from the “Cambodian Veterans Association” to the “Cambodian Veterans and Penioners Association.”

By C. Nika