Recently, ASEAN’s Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn spoke at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia, about continuing armed conflict between Cambodia and Thailand. The secretary-general said ASEAN could not ignore conflict between member states and should act together to prevent escalation, help restore a ceasefire quickly and return both sides to dialogue and diplomacy.
The secretary-general said the conflict had attracted close regional and international attention, and that the ASEAN chair, leaders of several countries and the UN secretary-general had called for de-escalation and restoration of a ceasefire. The continuing conflict had severe humanitarian effects on ASEAN’s people, especially civilians along the Cambodia–Thailand border, causing deep concern.
The secretary-general stressed the need to “give peace a chance”, following the principles of the ASEAN Charter and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia to resolve disputes peacefully and maintain regional stability. The secretary-general praised Malaysia’s mediation leadership as ASEAN chair and urged political wisdom and restraint from Cambodia and Thailand, responding through cooperation to the region’s shared hopes for peace and stability.
Compiled report by this outlet
