AKP Phnom Penh, July 25, 2026 —

Cambodia has reaffirmed its commitment to the fundamental principles of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) while calling for stronger political will to advance preventive diplomacy and the peaceful settlement of disputes at a high-level conference marking the treaty’s 50th anniversary.

Representing Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn, Secretary of State and Cambodia’s ASEAN SOM Leader H.E. Kung Phoak attended the High-Level Conference of the High Contracting Parties to the TAC on the afternoon of July 24 in Manila, the Philippines.

Held under the theme “Reinvigorating the TAC: Advancing ASEAN Centrality for Peace, Security, and Rules-Based Cooperation in an Evolving Indo-Pacific,” the conference gathered representatives of the High Contracting Parties from around the world to commemorate the treaty’s 50th anniversary.

Participants reaffirmed their commitment to the TAC’s core principles, including respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-interference in the internal affairs of states, the renunciation of the threat or use of force, and the peaceful settlement of disputes.

Against the backdrop of an evolving geopolitical landscape, rising global tensions, and growing challenges to multilateralism, the conference highlighted the TAC’s continued role as a cornerstone of regional stability, confidence-building, and rules-based cooperation in Southeast Asia and beyond.

Speaking during the thematic session on “Conflict Prevention and Preventive Diplomacy,” H.E. Kung Phoak stressed that the true value of the TAC lies in fostering a regional culture where consultation, restraint, and dialogue remain the primary means of addressing differences.

He emphasised that effective preventive diplomacy requires strong political will, noting that the treaty alone cannot prevent conflicts unless its principles are reflected in the conduct of states.

H.E. Kung Phoak also called on all High Contracting Parties to translate the enduring principles of the TAC into concrete actions to ensure the treaty remains a living foundation for peace and cooperation in the region and beyond.

By C. Nika