Cambodia’s Assembly President Calls for New Global Compact on Sovereignty and Cooperation at Paris Peace Forum

PARIS, France (Oct.30, 2025) — Cambodian National Assembly President Samdech Khuon Sudary called for a renewed global commitment to diplomacy, multilateralism, and people-centered governance during a high-level roundtable at the Paris Peace Forum on Wednesday, urging world leaders to redefine sovereignty through cooperation rather than confrontation.

Speaking at the closed-door session titled “Facing the Fault Lines: Sovereignty in a Fragmenting World Order,” Khuon Sudary proposed a forward-looking agenda to strengthen peace and stability amid rising geopolitical tensions and fractured global governance.

“The real challenge is not choosing between sovereignty and cooperation,” she said, “but defining how sovereignty can be preserved and strengthened through cooperation.”

She outlined three key proposals: investing in trust-building and preventive diplomacy, reinforcing an inclusive and rules-based multilateral system, and promoting a centrist, people-focused approach to conflict resolution—particularly through the Women, Peace, and Security agenda.

Referencing the recent Cambodia–Thailand peace agreement brokered with ASEAN and U.S. support, she said the deal marked a turning point for regional diplomacy and a model for peaceful dispute resolution.

“Sovereignty today extends beyond borders to cyberspace, the economy, and strategic autonomy,” she said, adding that small states like Cambodia must rely on international law and principled diplomacy to safeguard their interests and contribute to global peace.