Jakarta: H.E. Noy Choumneanh has officially presented his Letters of Credence to H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, the Secretary-General of ASEAN, marking the commencement of his tenure as Cambodia's Permanent Representative to ASEAN.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, during the meeting, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn congratulated Ambassador Noy Choumneanh on his new role and emphasized the critical function of Cambodia's Permanent Mission to ASEAN. He highlighted its role in supporting the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN (CPR), particularly in fostering ASEAN Community-building, regional integration, and enhancing ASEAN's coordination across different sectors and with external partners.
Dr. Kao also acknowledged the Ambassador's extensive diplomatic experience in promoting ASEAN cooperation. He praised Cambodia's efforts as the Country Coordinator for ASEAN-United States Dialogue Relations and offered his support for Cambodia's upcoming Chairmanship of the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Task Force in 2026.
Ambassador Noy Choumneanh expressed Cambodia's gratitude for the significant role of the ASEAN Secretary-General in reinforcing the ASEAN Secretariat and promoting ASEAN's Community-building initiatives. He appreciated the Secretary-General's leadership in improving the effectiveness and relevance of the ASEAN Secretariat, as well as his dedication to assisting ASEAN Member States in navigating complex regional and global challenges.
The Ambassador also conveyed appreciation for the ASEAN Secretariat's ongoing support to Member States, emphasizing its essential role in ensuring coherence and effective implementation of ASEAN's decisions. He reaffirmed Cambodia's commitment to ASEAN and its alignment with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, pledging to collaborate closely with ASEAN Member States and the Secretariat to realize ASEAN's shared vision.
Both parties reiterated their commitment to strengthen cooperation, particularly through the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN (CPR), to further enhance the partnership between Cambodia and ASEAN. They stressed the importance of improved coordination between the CPR and the ASEAN Secretariat in achieving ASEAN's collective objectives, especially as outlined in ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future.