Cambodia Stresses Peacekeeping Commitment at Morocco Conference

RABAT, May 22, 2026 (KPT) — Cambodia has reaffirmed its commitment to peacekeeping and international cooperation during the 2nd Ministerial Conference on Peacekeeping in the Francophone Environment in Morocco, officials said Friday.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn dispatched a delegation led by Sun Sovanna, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to the meeting in Rabat.

In his address, Sovanna said Cambodia, having endured decades of war, deeply values peace and stability.

Quoting Prime Minister Hun Manet, he stressed that Cambodia’s participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations remains central to both domestic and foreign policy.

Sovanna noted Cambodia’s transformation from a nation that hosted UN peacekeepers in the early 1990s to one that now contributes its own Blue Helmets to missions abroad.

He said the national slogan “We Love Peace” reflects the country’s long‑standing dedication to peacebuilding.

He also announced that Phnom Penh will host the 20th Francophonie Summit in November, describing it as an opportunity to promote shared values of dialogue and solidarity.

Cambodia’s peacekeeping role has gained prominence since its own cultural heritage was targeted during conflict.

The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts has condemned the destruction of the Preah Vihear Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which sustained heavy damage from Thai air force strikes in late 2025.

Officials said the attack displaced more than 649,000 civilians and underscored the need to protect both people and cultural heritage in armed conflicts.

Sovanna concluded by paying tribute to UN peacekeepers who lost their lives, calling their sacrifice “the ultimate price in the cause of peace.”