Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn stressed the importance of the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) status and expressed his concern on the geopolitical tension and major power rivalry in the region.

Sokhonn made the remarks during the 24th ASEAN Political-Security Community Council Meeting held on October 4 via video conference, according to the foreign ministry's press statement.

“He [Sokhonn] expressed concern that the rise of geopolitical tension and major power rivalries may escalate arm races and destabilise regional peace.

“In this regard, he stressed the importance of upholding ASEAN's principles in preserving the Southeast Asian region as a nuclear weapon-free zone and the signing of the Protocol to the SEANWFZ Treaty by the five nuclear-power nations,” the statement said.

Sokhonn also expressed concern over job security and the wellbeing of migrant workers in the region.

He underlined Cambodia’s support for the recommendations of the 14th ASEAN Forum on Migrant Labour (AFML) on extending social protection to migrant workers and rallying international support for their upskill and reskill programmes, according to the statement.