BANGKOK: Prime Minister Hun Sen has said that as the world recovers from the Covid-19 crisis, the Russia-Ukraine war now puts the world in a worse position, affecting socioeconomic development and long-term political geography. He has called on the world to maintain order, peace and food security to ensure the well-being of people across the globe.

Prime Minister Hun Sen made these remarks at the opening ceremony of the 78th session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), which was held under the theme of forming a "Joint Agenda for Promoting Sustainable Development in Asia And the Pacific,” on the morning of Monday, 23 May.

The Prime Minister said that the current global Covid-19 crisis has improved, but not yet completely gone away, and the main priority of the common agenda in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as the world as a whole, remains focused on overcoming the fight against Covid-19 by using vaccines as a key strategic weapon.

He further praised the culture of mutual assistance, especially the sharing of Covid-19 vaccines, aimed at building full herd immunity throughout the world and encouraging openness and strengthening economic integration through the promotion of investment, trade, the full implementation of free trade agreements that have entered into force, and the connection of people around the world, especially in the field of tourism, to jointly restore and stimulate domestic and regional economic growth in the aftermath of the Covid-19 crisis.

Prime Minister Hun Sen also raised concerns about the war in Ukraine, saying that this crisis not only hinders socioeconomic recovery, but also has a long-term socioeconomic and geopolitical impact. He called for joint efforts to maintain order, peace and especially food security in Cambodia and the broader region by maintaining the flow of essential goods so that people do not suffer more, and to ensure that no one is left behind.

As the 2022 ASEAN Chair, Prime Minister Hun Sen is confident that the 78th session of ESCAP will lead to lively discussions and the establishment of new mechanisms and initiatives for Asia-Pacific cooperation, to promote recovery and growth after the Covid-19 crisis, and towards achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals as expected. The Prime Minister emphasized that Cambodia is ready to participate as a country in the Asia-Pacific, as well as the 2022 ASEAN Chair.