Phnom Penh:​ Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn has expressed concern on the rise of geopolitical tension and major power rivalries that may escalate arm races and destabilise regional peace during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. It was also the 4th ASEAN Political-Security Community Council Meeting, and the 30th ASEAN Coordinating Council Meeting held via video conference on Monday. With the concern, Foreign Minister Sokhonn has stressed on the importance of upholding ASEAN's principles in preserving the South East Asian region as a Nuclear-Weapon Free Zone and the signing of the Protocol to the SEANWFZ Treaty by the five nuclear power nations

The Meeting exchanged views on the recent developments of the Sectoral Bodies under APSC and welcomed the significant progress made in implementing the APSC Blueprint 2025, despite the COVID-19 disruption. The Ministers have underlined the importance of completing the remaining action lines under this Blueprint to ensure an effective ASEAN Community Building process. They reaffirmed ASEAN's strong commitment to upholding ASEAN Centrality and unity in ASEAN-led mechanisms and promoting confidence between ASEAN and external partners. The Meeting also agreed on encouraging greater participation of youth and women in building peace and security.

Foreign Minister Sokhonn has also expressed concerns on the job security and well-being of migrant workers in the region, and underlined Cambodia's support for the recommendations of the 14th ASEAN Forum on Migrant Labour on extending social protection to migrant workers, and mobilising international support for their upskill and reskill programs.

For the 30th ASEAN Coordinating Council Meeting, the Ministers exchanged views on ASEAN's key initiatives in response to COVID-19 pandemic, in particular the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework, the establishment of the ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases, and ASEAN Regional Reserve of Medical Supplies for Public Health Emergencies.

The Ministers have agreed to channel more resources toward the full and effective implementation of these initiatives. They shared their views on the need to expedite priority tasks such as in re-opening safe and secure cross-border travels across the region, enhancing connectivity, digital economy, and innovation.

The Ministers recognised that the ASEAN Travel Corridor Arrangement Framework and the ARRMS are crucial for gradually returning the region to the state of normalcy, and to boost ASEAN's preparedness for future regional health crises. In this regard, the Ministers encouraged early operationalization of these two initiatives.

The Cambodian Foreign Minister has urged for the the early finalisation of the host-country selection and establishment of the ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases to contribute to enhancing regional health system which is the first among the five broad strategic areas of the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework. He also underlined the importance of the ATCAF's implementation to allow travel and business activities across the region to gradually return to normalcy, without compromising on public health safety, and looked forward to the early establishment of a Permanent Task Force to start its operation.

The ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting has deliberated on key issues including the ASEAN Community building efforts, political and security aspects, matters concerning external relations, and other pressing regional and international issues of common interest and concern. They exchanged views on strengthening and expanding constructive engagements with ASEAN external partners. They also agreed on commencing ASEAN-UK cooperation framework and preparation of a five-year ASEAN-UK Action Plan. It was agreed that Brunei Darussalam serve as the first Country Coordinator for ASEAN UK dialogue relations for 2021-2024 and the proposals made by China and Russia to commemorate the 30th anniversary of ASEAN-China and ASEAN-Russia Relations this year.