On 24 October 2026, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet presided over a ceremony marking 20 years of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces’ participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations. He also officially inaugurated several facilities at the Multinational Peacekeeping Forces Training School.
Over the past 20 years, Cambodian troops’ participation in UN peacekeeping has formed part of the country’s contribution to international peace, security and stability. The ceremony also highlighted the importance of training, strengthening capabilities and maintaining readiness to fulfil tasks under UN mandates.
The inauguration of facilities at the training school also reflects attention to developing training capabilities and preparing troops for international missions.
Hun Manet said the government would begin implementing military-service obligations on 9 November, Independence Day and the anniversary of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, by opening military-skills training courses for young people who had applied to serve. He thanked the applicants, saying that more than 10,000 young people nationwide had submitted applications in the few days since registration opened.
The anniversary not only reviewed Cambodia’s participation but also underlined the importance of international cooperation and joint efforts to preserve peace for people in conflict-affected areas.
Peace requires participation, responsibility and sustained commitment. The anniversary provided an opportunity to increase awareness of peacekeepers’ role and Cambodia’s contribution to international affairs.
The original report said that over the past 20 years Cambodia had participated on an equal footing with other troop-contributing countries and enhanced its international standing through missions in countries and areas including Sudan, South Sudan, Chad, Lebanon, Cyprus, Syria, the Central African Republic, Mali, Yemen, the Abyei Special Administrative Area and Congo. By PENH Sopheak
