PHNOM PENH: Minister of National Defense, Tea Banh, has taken the chair of the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting from Brunei General Dato Paduka. The online meeting held on Wednesday pointing out specific points on Defense and Regional Peace amid the Covid-19 context. The ADMM conference was also participated by South Korean officials.

Minister of National Defense, Tea Banh, has stated the Covid-19 pandemic is the most unsettling moment of modern times, expressing the major role of the Army regarding the resolution of challenges. He has emphasized the presence of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces at the country’s vaccination campaign, assisting the health workers across the country.

In addition, Tea Banh has highlighted the importance of cross-border operations between ASEAN nations to curb Covid-19 and prevent transnational crimes as well as providing humanitarian assistance. He has pushed for the full and effective implementation of the ADMM Three-Year Work Program aiming to build armed force’s resilience and mitigate the impact of climate challenges and stresses the importance of women peacekeepers in the success of UN’s peace and security work.

Cambodia ranks 13th out of 122 countries and is the second in the ASEAN nation with more contribution of women peacekeepers deployments to regions in conflict around the world. With the presence of South Korean officials, the Minister has acknowledged South Korea’s important role in maintaining peace, stability and prosperity in the ASEAN region. He says ASEAN-South Korea relations evolved from a sectoral dialogue partner from 1989 to a full dialogue partner in 1991 and a strategic partnership in 2010.