AKP Phnom Penh, August 20, 2026 -- H.E. Dr. Chheang Vannarith, Deputy Secretary-General of the National Assembly and Chairman of the National Assembly Advisory Council, on Wednesday participated virtually in the Consultative Meeting on “National Strategic Foresight Study’s Scenario Pathways Validation” to support the development of Cambodia’s National Foresight Roadmap under the Pentagonal Strategy-Phase 1.

The Zoom meeting, organised through collaboration between the Royal Government of Cambodia, through the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), brought together relevant government officials, experts, researchers, and other stakeholders to provide inputs and validate the scenario pathways.

H.E. Dr. Chheang Vannarith participated as a Senior Validator in the session entitled “Cambodia’s Changing External Environment and Strategic Room for Manoeuvre,” which focused on the rapidly changing regional and global geopolitical and geo-economic landscapes and their implications for Cambodia’s foreign policy and development.

In his intervention, H.E. Dr. Chheang Vannarith highlighted the importance of viewing Cambodia’s strategic environment through four layers of external actors: immediate neighbours, global powers, middle powers, and the wider Global South.

He also underscored China’s strategic and economic importance and the need to deepen cooperation with neighbouring Lao PDR and Viet Nam.

Concerning Cambodia-Thailand relations, he posited that it would be a long-term challenge as the border tensions are closely linked to Thai domestic politics. As long as Thai politics remain unstable and messy, the border tensions will continue.

Underscoring the importance of broader Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam cooperation, particularly in economic corridors, logistics, infrastructure, and connectivity, he noted that trilateral cooperation will strengthen nationwide connectivity and economic resilience.

He further highlighted the importance of connecting Cambodia with Laos and China, as well as with Vietnam, to diversify supply chains and mitigate risks arising from Thai pressures and coercion.

H.E. Dr. Chheang Vannarith further emphasised the need for Cambodia to take a long-term perspective in navigating its regional strategic environment, particularly in managing relations with neighbouring countries and responding to evolving geopolitical and economic conditions.

By Chea Vannak