PHNOM PENH: The Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Sok Soken, stated that “Cambodia stands ready to ensure peace, prosperity and cooperation in Asia," during a courtesy call with the Executive Director of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), Kairat Sarybay, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on Monday, 4 April.

On behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn, Secretary of State Sok Soken praised CICA as an effective multilateral platform that promotes cooperation, peace, security and stability in Asia and across the world. He also congratulated the country of Kazakhstan on extending its term as CICA President for 2022-2024, and CICA on reaching its 30th anniversary in 2022.

According to a Ministry's press release, Cambodia had sent fairytales, along with photographs and descriptions from Cambodia's major ecotourism sites to the CICA Secretariat for publication, with the aim of illustrating the rich diversity of Asian cultures to celebrate this event.

Secretary of State Sok Soken, as the leader of the Cambodian Senior Officials for CICA, reaffirmed Cambodia's commitment to stand ready to contribute to the CICA process with other member states to further ensure peace, prosperity and cooperation in Asia.

In response, CICA Executive Director Kairat Sarybay thanked Cambodia for its active participation in the CICA process, especially since becoming a CICA member in 2011. He also congratulated Cambodia on the 2022 ASEAN Chairmanship and pledged to work more closely with the country to address common challenges in Asia.

Taking this opportunity, the CICA Executive Director also handed over the President of Kazakhstan's official invitation to Prime Minister Hun Sen, to attend the 6th CICA Summit to be held on 12-13 October 2022 in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan.

The CICA delegation also had separate meetings with the Senior Advisor to the Royal Government and Cambodia Eminent Person for CICA, Dr. Sok Siphana, as well as representatives of the Asian Vision Institute, the Cambodia Think Tank for the CICA Think Tank Forum.

The Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) was established on 5 October 1992 under the initiative of former Kazakhstan President, Nursultan Nazarbayev, with the aims to strengthen security, peace and stability in Asia through cooperation in the fight against terrorism, the prevention of the spread of weapons of mass destruction, and the promotion of cooperation on humanitarian issues. The conference has 27 permanent member states, nine observer countries and five observer organizations. Cambodia joined CICA on 1 March 2011.