Cambodia Thanks World Leaders Ahead of ASEAN Peace Deal Signing

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Oct.21, 2025) — Prime Minister Hun Manet on Monday expressed gratitude to international leaders for their role in brokering a ceasefire and advancing a peace accord between Cambodia and Thailand, set to be signed during the upcoming ASEAN Summit in Malaysia.

“Thank you to U.S. President Donald Trump for his efforts in mediating the ceasefire reached on July 28 and for supporting the steps toward a peace deal at the upcoming ASEAN meeting in Malaysia,” Hun Manet said during the official inauguration of the Techo International Airport. “Thanks also to the Chinese government for its active support and continued presence at all related meetings.”

Hun Manet also praised Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the current ASEAN chair, for his leadership in facilitating negotiations and easing tensions over the Cambodia-Thailand border dispute.

“Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has been very active in helping both countries find a solution,” Hun Manet said. “Although the initial attempt at a ceasefire on July 24 failed, we successfully reached one on July 28. Since then, he has continued to work swiftly to reduce tensions along the border.”

The prime minister extended thanks to French President Emmanuel Macron, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres and the U.N. Security Council for their continued efforts to de-escalate the situation since armed clashes first erupted on July 24.

He also acknowledged the ASEAN interim monitoring team for its role in observing border conditions and said he looked forward to the deployment of a permanent ASEAN observation mission.

Chheang Vannarith, chairman of the Angkor Social Innovation Park, commended Malaysia’s role in facilitating the ceasefire and promoting regional peace.

“Malaysia has played an active and critical role in mediating the ceasefire and monitoring its implementation,” Vannarith said. “As responsible members of ASEAN, Cambodia and Thailand must respect ASEAN’s mediating role, especially that of the ASEAN chair.”

He called for the swift formation and deployment of an ASEAN observer team to ensure the ceasefire holds on the ground.

Kin Phea, director general of the International Relations Institute at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, expressed optimism about the peace deal, noting the significance of international attention ahead of the signing.

“The mediation by major powers such as the United States and the ASEAN chair can pressure the Thai side to implement the spirit of the peace agreement,” Phea said.

U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to witness the formal signing of the peace accord between Cambodia and Thailand on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit, according to Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan.