Cambodia to host ASEM in November

Luy David, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that the 13th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM13), which Cambodia will host, will take place in November this year via video conference.

On July 7-9, Cambodia co-chaired ASEM Senior Officials’ Meeting (ASEM SOM) with the European Union through a video conference, being attended by 51 senior officials from ASEM partner countries, as well as EU representatives, the ASEAN Secretariat, and the Asia-Europe Foundation.

A press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on July 13 that as theCovid-19 pandemic spread, along with the emergence of new variants creating a wave of new infections in many countries around the world, including Cambodia, Luy David, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ASEM SOM leader for Cambodia, officially announced: “Cambodia would host the ASEM13 on 25-26 November 2021 virtually.” 

The press release said the decision was made in accordance with the recommendation of National Committee for Combatting COVID-19, which states that: “A physical summit is neither safe for ASEM Leaders to attend nor practical as the virus continues to rage on while travel restrictions are being re-imposed by many countries.”

The ASEM SOM discussed the draft of the Phnom Penh Statement on the Post-Coivd-19 Socio-Economic Recovery. 

The press release said the draft statement would be one of two key outcome documents to be adopted at the ASEM13. 

It said the draft statement reflects the common goal of all ASEM leaders in ensuring a inclusive, sustainable, and resilient post-Covid-19 recovery.

The ASEM SOM leaders agreed to meet again this month to finalize the statement.

The meeting welcomed and congratulated Slovenia for hosting another ASEM SOM on 16-17 September to discuss the ASEM13 Chair Statement.