ASEM, the Largest Cooperation Framework Outside UN

Asia-Europe Meeting – ASEM, a solid partnership between Asia and Europe, is now the largest cooperation framework outside the United Nations, H.E. Prak Sokhonn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia, said in his key message on the celebration of ASEM Day.

ASEM represents 60 percent of the global population, 55 percent of global trade, 65 percent of the global economy, and 75 percent of global tourism, he added, stressing that with such a significant contribution, ASEM does carry a meaningful heft in global affair, with multilateralism at its core.

“As this year marks the 26th anniversary of the Asia-Europe Meeting – ASEM, on behalf of the Royal Government of Cambodia, I am pleased to extend my warmest message of happiness, good health and a sustainable recovery from COVID-19 pandemic to all ASEM Partners and the peoples of our two continents. Since its inception in 2016 in Mongolia it has become a practice that we choose the month of March to celebrate the ASEM Day,” he said.

H.E. Prak Sokhonn also recalled the 13th ASEM Summit (ASEM13) hosted last year by Cambodia under the theme “Strengthening Multilateralism for Shared Growth”. “I was pleased to witness ASEM Leaders placing paramount importance on ASEM’s core values as well as their commitments to revitalising multilateralism towards a more resilient, sustainable, inclusive and dynamic future of Asia-Europe cooperation. The spirit of informality, flexibility, equal partnership, consensus and mutual benefits has once again shone throughout the whole summit,” he continued.

ASEM Leaders had showcased their steadfast engagement in tackling global and regional challenges, as reflected with their global actions against Covid-19 and climate change, their commitment to enhancing public health and safety, their focus on youth employment and women empowerment, and their resolve to tackle WTO reforms, among others. More importantly, they had ultimately adopted three significant outcome documents, namely: (1) the ASEM13 Chair’s Statement; (2) the Phnom Penh Statement on the Post-COVID-19 Socio-Economic Recovery; and (3) the Way Forward on ASEM Connectivity.

“These outcome documents marked a new historic milestone in ASEM cooperation and solidified our solidarity and shared resolve to maintain and promote peace, stability and prosperity in Asia and Europe as well as to build an inclusive, sustainable, and resilient future for our current and next generations,” underlined H.E. Prak Sokhonn.

Source: Agency Kampuchea Press