AKP Phnom Penh, January 31, 2025 --

The Asian Vision Institution (AVI) celebrated its sixth anniversary early this week, marking remarkable achievements of its mission over the past six years in contributing to Cambodia's foreign policy and to building a resilient, inclusive and prosperous society.

The event was presided over by H.E. Santepundit Neth Savoeun, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the National Authority for Combating Drugs. H.E. Pundit Sapheacha Dr. Sok Siphana, Senior Minister in charge of Special Mission and Chairman Emeritus of AVI, and H.E. Suos Yara, Chairman of Asian Cultural Council, with the participation of 120 guests from government officials, ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps, development partners, academia, think tanks and students.

The celebration featured a roundtable discussion on “Cambodia's Foreign Policy in the New Era" with experts including government officials and academics shared insights and exchanged their perspectives on the prospect of Cambodia's foreign policy in the current context of changing global geopolitics and geo-economics, emphasising the significant role of think tanks in promoting smart diplomacy and multilateral engagement through strategic cooperation and constructive dialogue.

It is worth highlighting that the Royal Government of Cambodia in the 7th Legislature led by Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet has continued to embrace a flexible, smart foreign diplomacy carried over from the previous legislatures led by Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, and has also continued to sharpen its focus and directions so as to adapt well to the currency of regional and global dynamics and to ensure Cambodia's core national interests on the basis of rule of law and prevailing international law.

The event also included the launch of “ASEAN and the Responsibility to Protect (R2P): An Ambivalent Relationship." Author Dr. Neth Thida Chanthima presented the book, followed by a discussion on role of R2P and its relevance in addressing regional challenges within ASEAN.

The active engagement from participants and valuable contributions from panelists throughout both roundtable and panel discussions has immensely enriched the dialogues adding meaningful and impactful perspectives to explore diverse dimensions of the subject matters; therefore, creating friendly environment for inclusive dialogue, intellectual exchange, and mutual understanding.

AVI said the ceremony not only reflected remarkable achievements of the Asian Vision Institute over the past six years, but also showcased its strong commitment to continue strengthening its role in contributing to Cambodia's foreign policy and to building a resilient, inclusive and prosperous society via its constructive engagement in innovative policy-oriented research and analysis with a wide range of partners and stakeholders in the Mekong, ASEAN and the Asia Pacific region.

By Chea Vannak