Phnom Penh: Prime Minister Hun Sen shared Cambodia’s lessons on peacemaking and national reconciliation at the World Summit in Seoul, marking the end of a four-day trip to South Korea where he clinches a peace prize.
He opined that it is not more conflict – but rather, peaceful dialogue and a ‘Win-Win’ negotiation – that can open up the possibility of ending war, in a nod to his own policy which saw Khmer Rouge soldiers reintegrated into the Kingdom’s society.
In his opening remarks to the summit on February 11, Hun Sen said: “In more than half of my life, I’ve seen negotiation as the best option. I’ve never believed that war can end war.
“Our country has been torn apart by war and we had spent four years negotiating an end to that war.”
Hun Sen was awarded the 2022 Sunhak Peace Prize on February 12. He said the prize was for all Cambodians for their continuous support of the Kingdom’s peacebuilding process.
He thanked the prize committee for acknowledging his efforts in ending the civil war and building a “comprehensive, lasting peace” in Cambodia. He also expressed deep gratitude to the monarchy, in particular the late King Father Norodom Sihanouk, Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk and King Norodom Sihamoni for their roles in promoting the spirit of national unity among all Cambodians.
“For me, peace is priceless. Peace is the most beautiful thing; peace brings hope and smiles to [all of] humankind,” he said.
He added that he was committed to protecting and promoting peace after having seen Cambodia’s experiences of war and peacemaking.
Hun Sen took the opportunity to highlight the Kingdom’s outsized contributions to UN peacekeeping and mine clearance missions in Africa and the Middle East, where it has sent troops despite being a relatively small country with limited military resources.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said in a press statement on February 13 that in awarding him the prize, the Sunhak Peace Prize Committee has recognised Hun Sen’s lifetime efforts and achievements in ending the decades-long civil war and establishing peace in Cambodia.
Prime Minister Hun Sen and former US vice-president Mike Pence (right) attend the Summit For Peace on the Korean Peninsula in the South Korean capital Seoul on Sunday. SPM
“His visionary leadership as Prime Minister has steered Cambodia towards poverty alleviation, enhancement of people’s wellbeing, and uplifting of socio-economic development in Cambodia,” it said.
The ministry added that his contributions to wider peace in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond are also being recognised by being awarded the prize.
During his four-day visit to South Korea, Hun Sen met with high profile leaders including South Korean President Moon Jae-in; Speaker of the Korean National Assembly Park Byeong-seug; co-founder of the Universal Peace Federation Hak Ja Han Moon; and former UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon. Asianews.com
