Phnom penh: H.E. Dr. Chheang Vannarith, Deputy Secretary-General of the National Assembly and Chairman of the National Assembly Advisory Council, participated virtually in the Consultative Meeting on 'National Strategic Foresight Study's Scenario Pathways Validation' to support the development of Cambodia's National Foresight Roadmap under the Pentagonal Strategy-Phase 1.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the Zoom meeting was organised through collaboration between the Royal Government of Cambodia, through the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It gathered relevant government officials, experts, researchers, and other stakeholders to provide inputs and validate the scenario pathways.
H.E. Dr. Chheang Vannarith served as a Senior Validator in the session titled 'Cambodia's Changing External Environment and Strategic Room for Manoeuvre.' This session concentrated on the rapidly shifting regional and global geopolitical and geo-economic landscapes and their implications for Cambodia's foreign policy and development.
During his intervention, H.E. Dr. Chheang Vannarith emphasized the importance of analyzing Cambodia's strategic environment through four layers of external actors: immediate neighbours, global powers, middle powers, and the wider Global South. He stressed China's strategic and economic significance and the necessity to enhance cooperation with neighbouring Lao PDR and Viet Nam.
Regarding Cambodia-Thailand relations, he noted that it would remain a long-term challenge due to border tensions closely linked to Thai domestic politics. As long as Thai politics remain unstable, these tensions are likely to persist.
He highlighted the significance of broader Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam cooperation, especially in economic corridors, logistics, infrastructure, and connectivity. This trilateral cooperation is seen as crucial for strengthening nationwide connectivity and economic resilience.
Furthermore, he underscored the importance of linking Cambodia with Laos and China, as well as with Vietnam, to diversify supply chains and mitigate risks from Thai pressures and coercion. H.E. Dr. Chheang Vannarith concluded by emphasizing the need for Cambodia to adopt a long-term perspective in navigating its regional strategic environment, particularly in managing relations with neighboring countries and adapting to evolving geopolitical and economic conditions.