The Cambodian government used the occasion of this year’s UN International Day of Peace to reiterate the strong will of the people to protect peace and stability in the Kingdom, and to jointly build it regionally and globally, while raising the awareness of its value.
The September 21 Peace Day is being celebrated under the theme: “Actions for Peace: Our Ambition for the Global Goals. The first International Day of Peace was marked on September 21, 1982, following the UN General Assembly (UNGA) 1981 resolution calling for the cessation of all hostilities globally.
This year’s theme calls for contributions from all actors to make sustainable development goals [SDGs] a success to end poverty, starvation, climate change and guarantee prosperity for all.
Prime Minister Hun Manet released a statement marking the occasion before departing for New York.
“On behalf of the Cambodian government, I congratulate and join the international community in observing this occasion, and raising awareness of the precious value of peace.
“I reiterate the strong will of the Cambodian people to protect and join in building peace and stability in the country, regionally and globally, in a sustainable manner,” he said.
The premier announced his government’s commitment to placing a high value on peace, in line with the slogan “Be Thankful for Peace”, which was coined under the administration of former Prime Minister Hun Sen.
Manet said Peace Day was the perfect time to renew the commitment of the Cambodian government and its people to upholding the values of peace, cooperation and mutual respect.
“We don’t earn peace by chance. To build it, we need to overcome all obstacles. We must stick with the spirit of solidarity and international fraternity.
“Our people went through endless painful wars, tragedies and divisions for over two decades. They served as a bitter and unforgettable lesson and experience, and now we all clearly understand the true value of peace,” he added.
On September 15, in preparation for the event, the Ministry of Cults and Religion issued an advisory to its municipal and provincial departments instructing them to mark the Peace Day by spreading the Buddhist concept of loving-kindness.
“We have advised the departments to work with chief monks and spiritual leaders to organise a programme that will celebrate the Peace Day,” it said.
Yang Peou, secretary-general of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, highlighted how peace and stability built crucial foundations for the Kingdom’s progress.
“Our country was once torn by war. A guaranteed peace and social order were necessary to ensure we could have developmental opportunities going forward,” he said.
Manet’s statement went on to detail the Kingdom’s active role in protecting the peace in nations experiencing conflict.
“Under the UN umbrella, we have dispatched 9,205 peacekeeping troops to war-torn parts of the globe since 2006. Our soldiers – 728 of them women – have served in nine countries: Chad, Sudan, South Sudan, Central African Republic (CAR), Lebanon, Cyprus, Syria, Mali and Yemen,” he said.
At present, a total of 906 peacekeepers, including 147 women, are fulfilling missions in South Sudan, Lebanon, Mali, CAR and Yemen.
“Cambodia has now made successful strides in strengthening the well-being of people to ensure that no one will be left behind,” said Manet.
“We are committed to redoubling our efforts to lay out and implement measures and reforms through the Pentagonal Strategy which will stimulate economic growth, create jobs, guarantee equity, increase efficiency and maintain sustainability, all aimed at achieving the SDGs by 2030,” he added. coined under the administration of former Prime Minister Hun Sen.
Manet said Peace Day was the perfect time to renew the commitment of the Cambodian government and its people to upholding the values of peace, cooperation and mutual respect.
“We don’t earn peace by chance. To build it, we need to overcome all obstacles. We must stick with the spirit of solidarity and international fraternity.
“Our people went through endless painful wars, tragedies and divisions for over two decades. They served as a bitter and unforgettable lesson and experience, and now we all clearly understand the true value of peace,” he added.
On September 15, in preparation for the event, the Ministry of Cults and Religion issued an advisory to its municipal and provincial departments instructing them to mark the Peace Day by spreading the Buddhist concept of loving-kindness.
“We have advised the departments to work with chief monks and spiritual leaders to organise a programme that will celebrate the Peace Day,” it said.
Yang Peou, secretary-general of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, highlighted how peace and stability built crucial foundations for the Kingdom’s progress.
“Our country was once torn by war. A guaranteed peace and social order were necessary to ensure we could have developmental opportunities going forward,” he said.
Manet’s statement went on to detail the Kingdom’s active role in protecting the peace in nations experiencing conflict.
“Under the UN umbrella, we have dispatched 9,205 peacekeeping troops to war-torn parts of the globe since 2006. Our soldiers – 728 of them women – have served in nine countries: Chad, Sudan, South Sudan, Central African Republic (CAR), Lebanon, Cyprus, Syria, Mali and Yemen,” he said.
At present, a total of 906 peacekeepers, including 147 women, are fulfilling missions in South Sudan, Lebanon, Mali, CAR and Yemen.
“Cambodia has now made successful strides in strengthening the well-being of people to ensure that no one will be left behind,” said Manet.
“We are committed to redoubling our efforts to lay out and implement measures and reforms through the Pentagonal Strategy which will stimulate economic growth, create jobs, guarantee equity, increase efficiency and maintain sustainability, all aimed at achieving the SDGs by 2030,” he added.
