National
ASEAN Chief Stresses Unity and Dialogue Amid Global Uncertainty
PHNOM PENH, May 2, 2026 (KPT) — ASEAN Secretary‑General Kao Kim Hourn has urged greater regional unity, dialogue and cooperation as Southeast Asia faces an increasingly complex global environment shaped by geopolitical tensions, economic fragmentation and armed conflicts beyond the region.
Speaking at the inaugural Phnom Penh Strategic Dialogue hosted by the Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace (CICP), Kim Hourn said ASEAN’s ability to navigate mounting challenges depends on its unity and collective commitment to maintaining peace, stability and prosperity.
The forum gathered policymakers, diplomats, academics and strategic experts to discuss pressing regional and international issues.
In his keynote, Kim Hourn warned that intensifying geopolitical rivalries and competition among major powers are reshaping the strategic landscape.
Economic interdependence, once seen as a safeguard against conflict, is increasingly tested by divisions and security concerns.
Governments worldwide are reassessing supply chains and trade partnerships amid fears over resilience and sovereignty.
Despite these pressures, Kim Hourn said ASEAN has shown resilience by maintaining dialogue, cooperation and consensus‑based decision‑making.
He stressed ASEAN centrality remains vital as global institutions face growing strain.
Highlighting conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, he noted their impact on energy markets, food supplies and trade routes, underscoring that no region is immune from instability.
“Sustainable peace cannot be imposed through force alone,” he said, calling for diplomacy, mutual understanding and adherence to international law.
Kim Hourn reaffirmed ASEAN’s commitment to promoting peace, stability and development, urging member states and partners to build trust and strengthen multilateral cooperation.
His remarks come as governments worldwide grapple with heightened geopolitical tensions, economic headwinds and evolving security challenges.
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