ASEAN must strengthen integration to withstand global fragmentation, says Cambodian PM

PHNOM PENH, Mar. 4, 2026 (KPT) – ASEAN must deepen integration and reinforce economic resilience to navigate rising global fragmentation and geopolitical tensions, Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet said Wednesday at the Cambodia–ASEAN Business Summit.

Addressing CEOs, investors and policymakers in Phnom Penh, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet said the global economy is undergoing a historic shift marked by supply chain disruptions, climate challenges and intensifying geopolitical frictions.

“In an era of global fragmentation, regional blocs that prioritize agility and cohesion will win,” he said, urging ASEAN to adapt its strategy to remain competitive.

The summit, held March 3–4 under the theme “Transforming ASEAN: Innovation, Integration and Industrial Evolution,” brought together leaders from across Southeast Asia to discuss economic transformation, supply chains and digital innovation.

Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet noted ASEAN is pursuing deeper integration through the ASEAN Economic Community Strategic Plan 2026–2030, designed to strengthen cooperation and turn global market disruptions into new competitive advantages.

He stressed that diversifying energy sources, improving crisis coordination mechanisms and reinforcing regional cooperation will be critical to sustaining ASEAN’s dynamism, with the bloc’s combined economy projected to reach nearly US$10 trillion by 2030.