MFAIC highlights 2024 key achievements in foreign policy

MFAIC highlights 2024 key achievements in foreign policy

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFAIC) has outlined its key achievements in 2024, emphasising progress in protecting Cambodia’s national sovereignty, enhancing its international reputation, and strengthening strategic diplomacy.

In a report presented at yesterday’s opening ceremony of the ministry’s annual conference, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Prak Sokhonn highlighted the country’s proactive foreign policy, while MFAIC Permanent Secretary of State Eat Sophea shared significant accomplishments that reflect Cambodia’s efforts to bolster sovereignty, international relations, and security.

The five major accomplishments emphasised the efforts in protecting national sovereignty and territorial integrity; protecting Cambodia’s international image and reputation; human rights diplomacy and engagement at the UN; protecting the rights and welfare of Cambodian nationals abroad; and foreign policy and strategic diplomacy.

On protecting national sovereignty and territorial integrity, the report emphasised Cambodia’s dedication to resolving border issues with neighbouring countries—Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos—through diplomatic means.

“The ministry has participated in resolving issues along the border with neighbouring countries through diplomatic means, reflecting Cambodia’s commitment to building peaceful borders, security, good cooperation, and development,” she said.

Thailand and Cambodia are also working on enhancing information exchange between their mine-clearance agencies—the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) and the Thailand Mine Action Centre (TMAC)—and solutions were proposed to prevent landmines from affecting Cambodia’s territory, particularly near Banteay Meanchey province. The efforts included discussions on the management of the Cambodia-Thailand Friendship Bridge and the construction of a new bridge on the Cambodian-Thailand border.

With Vietnam, Cambodia successfully negotiated solutions to address riverbank collapse and continued to foster collaboration on land border management. Meanwhile, with Laos, Cambodia exchanged letters of confirmation on the border agreement between the two countries and continued to jointly inspect the sections of the border that have not yet been agreed upon, as well as the quality of the boundary markers.

Sophea also spoke about the importance of defending Cambodia’s international reputation, highlighting efforts to counter misperceptions and prevent misinformation on the global stage.

In a bid to protect Cambodia’s global standing, the MFAIC worked diligently to clarify misconceptions and present the true picture of Cambodia’s development.

The Ministry defended the need for the modernisation of Ream Naval Base in Sihanoukville, contrary to accusations that Cambodia had granted foreign powers the right to establish military bases at this location. The strategic benefits of the 180km-long Funan Techo Canal, which does not negatively impact the environment or neighbouring countries, were also defended, along with the necessity of withdrawing from the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle Area (CLV-DTA) framework, among others.

Human rights remained a focal point for Cambodia’s international engagements, with the country continuing its active participation in the United Nations Human Rights Council. Sophea revealed that Cambodia had intervened on 37 occasions within UN forums, asserting the country’s significant progress in social and economic development and its improving human rights record.

The MFAIC’s efforts also extended to the protection of Cambodian citizens abroad, with successful interventions in over 40 cases involving Cambodians in foreign countries.

“Cambodia’s diplomatic missions abroad have continued to strengthen their commitment to the safety and security of Cambodian citizens, providing administrative and consular services, as well as other forms of assistance, in response to specific needs,” she said, adding that the government has decided to open a new consulate general in the southern Thai province of Songkhla.

Cambodia’s diplomatic missions also facilitated the safe return of over 1,123 Cambodian nationals who had been living abroad, showcasing the ministry’s commitment to its citizens.

In 2024, Cambodia made notable progress in its bilateral relations, with high-level visits from King Norodom Sihamoni, Senate President Hun Sen, and Prime Minister Hun Manet. Notable visits included the state and official trips to China, Vietnam, Japan, and the Middle East, as well as strengthening ties with ASEAN nations.

In his opening remarks, Sokhonn noted that in 2024, the world has evolved faster into a more complex, turbulent, perilous, and uncertain state due to the increasing competition in geography, politics, economics, trade, and advanced technologies between major powers, armed conflicts, and difficulties in finding and ensuring peace in many regions and countries, as well as the rise of non-traditional security issues.

He noted that this has also led to an increase in cross-border crime, instability in supply chains, rising food and oil prices, and the risks of climate change. The confusion of international order, which is drifting away from international legal frameworks, has led to the decline of multilateral cooperation, the weakening of global governance institutions, and the loss of confidence in global multilateralism.

“In the coming years, competition in geography, politics, economics, and strategy between major powers will shape the regional and global landscape and will exert direct or indirect pressure on central or smaller countries, like Cambodia,” he said.

According to its work direction report for 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation states that it will continue to uphold an independent and neutral foreign policy, without joining alliances, living in peace and mutual respect based on international law and national interests, particularly respecting the Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia, the ASEAN Charter, and the United Nations Charter.

The Ministry plans to expand bilateral relations between Cambodia and other countries by continuing to implement the “preserve old and create new” approach. This approach will ensure that traditional relationships with established friends are strengthened while increasing attention to diplomatic relations and cooperation with new partners.

The Ministry also aims to actively participate in multilateral mechanisms at both regional and global levels, particularly in maintaining peace under the United Nations framework and contributing to solving challenges related to peace, security, and sustainable development.

It will continue efforts to strengthen and expand relations with regional and international organisations, promoting Cambodia’s profile on the international stage and maximising national benefits by integrating Cambodia’s priorities into multilateral plans and activities.

Additionally, the Ministry will continue to contribute to maintaining unity, solidarity, and cohesion within ASEAN, supporting ASEAN’s leadership role to advance the shared interests of its peoples and member states. This includes working towards the realisation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, based on consensus principles for ASEAN’s decisions and non-interference in the internal affairs of member states.

The Ministry will also focus on promoting economic diplomacy more actively and effectively by encouraging trade, attracting foreign direct investment, and increasing tourism to Cambodia.

It will promote cultural diplomacy, including the dissemination of Cambodian culture, civilisation, arts, cuisine, and sports, to enhance Cambodia’s soft power and contribute to national economic growth in line with the Cambodia Vision 2050.

The Ministry will continue to collaborate with relevant ministries and agencies and coordinate with the United Nations system and other international organisations to develop strategies for Cambodia’s smooth transition out of the group of least developed countries by 2029.