What to Expect from Cambodia’s Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2022?

Nov. 4, 2021

Chheang Vannarith / Khmer Times 

 

Cambodia has assumed the chairmanship for ASEAN for 2022 amid unprecedented challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the urgency to carry out a safe and sustainable post-pandemic socio-economic reopening and recovery. The unfolding political crisis in Myanmar—some refer to it as a civil war—and the consolidation of the Quad and the formation of AUKUS pose pressures on ASEAN centrality. Navigating ASEAN through such an increasingly volatile and vulnerable geopolitical environment requires strong leadership.

...

Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn acknowledged that while the context of Cambodia and Myanmar’s crises were different, he hoped that the lessons learnt from Cambodia’s experience could be helpful for the resolution of the Myanmar crisis. Yet, while the grouping respects the principle of non-interference, ASEAN’s credibility is on the line.

Cambodia is ready to appoint a special envoy to facilitate inclusive political dialogue. However, the lack of flexibility and sincere cooperation from the military regime remains the main stumbling block. At the latest ASEAN Summits, Hun Sen expressed his disappointment with the military government over its lack of cooperation. The Cambodian Chair will need to robustly apply quiet diplomacy to convince the military leaders to cooperate and compromise.

On the South China Sea issue, Cambodia will try to facilitate the negotiations on the Code of Conduct (COC) with a slim hope of concluding it by the end of next year to mark the 20th anniversary of signing the Declaration of the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC). Notably, the DOC was one of Cambodia’s key deliverables in its 2002 ASEAN chairmanship. There will be a joint statement to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the DOC.

 

Full article: https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50964697/what-to-expect-from-cambodias-chairmanship-of-asean-in-2022/