- Excellency Presidents of the Veterans Associations of ASEAN Member States;
- Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen!
Today is an auspicious day the Kingdom of Cambodia hosts the opening ceremony of the 25th General Assembly of the Veterans Confederation of ASEAN Countries (VECONAC).
I would like to convey the warmest regards of Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, President of the Senate and the President of the Cambodian Veterans and Pensioners Association to all veterans and pensioners present here.
I am pleased to extend a warm welcome to the VECONAC delegations and all the distinguished guests participating in the 38th Executive Council Meeting and the 25th General Assembly of the VECONAC.
Serving as the rotating chair of the Veterans Confederation of ASEAN Countries in 2026 is a great honor for the Cambodian Veterans and Pensioners Association. This comes at a significant time, as Cambodia’s core institution of veterans and pensioners has proudly opened a new chapter in its history through a structural reform that expands the association’s coverage to include both the armed forces and civil servants under a single roof.
- Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to the VECONAC for serving as a bridge of communication, friendship, solidarity, and cooperation between veterans’ organizations and associations throughout the ASEAN region since its establishment in 1980.
Cambodia hosted with great success the 32nd VECONAC Executive Board Meeting (EBM-32) and the 19th VECONAC General Assembly in 2019, further enhancing and solidifying cooperation for our confederation. Today’s reunion is a testament to the continuity, spirit of solidarity, and unwavering commitment of Cambodia to promote the well-being of veterans in the region.
VECONAC is not only a major humanitarian force in improving the quality of life, well-being, and social protection of veterans and people with disabilities due to war, but also an influential regional mechanism in contribution to maintaining peace, stability, and sustainable development.
Expressing gratitude, taking care of, and improving the livelihoods of veterans and pensioners is not merely a humanitarian work; it is a «moral obligation and a duty of national gratitude» that future generations must fulfil toward every hero and predecessor. Indeed, gratitude toward parents, grandparents, and ancestors are morals and values deeply rooted in our Asian culture, including in Cambodia.
– Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
Southeast Asia has a complex post-World War II history. The societies built after liberation from colonial rule were forged through the sacrifices of “flesh and blood” of our veterans and pensioners—both on the front lines and in the rear. For Indochina, we had protracted wars for many years during the Cold War era, and for Cambodia, which endured the longest war in Southeast Asia, we understand very clearly the value of peace, as well as the immense sacrifices and all forms of dedication made by veterans and pensioners in contributing to nation-building and national defence.
Whether in Cambodia, Indochina, or the entire ASEAN region, we consider veterans as the guardians of history, independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the right to self-determination in choosing a development path that is appropriate to the historical and cultural context of each society.
For Cambodia, the peace and complete national unification that we have achieved did not happen by chance. The entire world recognizes Cambodia clearly through the implementation of the «Win-Win Policy» with the visionary wisdom of former Prime Minister, Samdech Techo Hun Sen, currently the President of the Senate.
Through the Win-Win Policy, Cambodia ended decades of civil war, regaining national unity, territorial integrity and achieved total peace – the first time in our last 500 years of history. Veterans and pensioners were the «first hand operators», who played a crucial role in implementing this Win-Win Policy, opening the hearts of all factions to embrace the Win-Win spirit to achieve national reconciliation without firing a single bullet.
The creation of the slogan «Thank Peace» is aimed at inspiring national spirit to love, understand, and participate in safeguarding peace. The slogan also expresses gratitude and appreciation for all veterans and pensioners whose immense contribution built the strong foundation of peace for Cambodia—a country once known only as a land suffering from dreadful tragedies caused by history and geography.
The peace dividend has enabled Cambodia to restore its prestige on the international stage, giving us the confidence to host today’s event. Thanks to peace, Cambodia has grown almost beyond recognition compared to what foreign veterans and pensioners experienced when visiting the Kingdom a decade or two ago—or even earlier.
Total peace under the Win-Win Policy enabled Cambodia to focus its total resources on driving national development, achieving an average economic growth rate of over 7% for more than two decades prior to the COVID-19 crisis. In 2015 Cambodia achieved lower-middle-income country, positioning it to graduate from Least Developed Country status by the end of 2029.
Thanks to peace and robust economic growth, Cambodia has been able to build and strengthen various national institutions including those responsible for social protection, which played a vital role in bolstering social resilience during crises and ensuring the equitable distribution of the fruits of economic growth-a crucial factor in building an inclusive society. These elements have enabled the Royal Government to systematically allocate both budgetary and structural resources to care for and support the well-being of veterans and pensioners—as articulated in the work progress report by His Excellency General Kun Kim, Vice President and Secretary-General of the Cambodia Veterans and Pensioners Association and President of VECONAC for 2026.
- Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
Despite the complex regional and global geopolitical environment, economic uncertainties, and growing non-traditional security challenges, Cambodia remains committed to an independent foreign policy based on international law, the promotion of multilateralism, and the peaceful resolution of disputes through dialogue, drawing on the spirit of the «Win-Win Policy» as a guiding philosophy for peacebuilding.
No one understands peace more than veterans. They are the most effective advocate for peace […]
In this spirit, with a view to further enhancing VECONAC’s effectiveness in fulfilling its noble mission, I would like to share some views and key recommendations with the General Assembly and all VECONAC members for consideration and for our collective effort to drive implementation forward.
First, we must continue to jointly preserve and promote the value of peace as the foundation for the region’s development and prosperity.
Second, we must strengthen solidarity, friendship, and cooperation among the veterans’ associations of ASEAN countries. I encourage VECONAC to continue to serve as a bridge and to exchange experiences, knowledge, and best practices, while promoting joint programs and projects that deliver tangible benefits to veterans.
Third, we must place the improvement of veterans’ quality of life and well-being at the core of cooperation. I encourage VECONAC and its member associations to continue prioritizing the health, social protection, livelihoods, and dignity of veterans.
Fourth, we must enhance the role of veterans as peace educators and as a bridge connecting the past to the present and the future. The experiences of veterans serve as valuable historical lessons for current and future generations. VECONAC should encourage the sharing of experiences and insights on the value of peace, reconciliation, solidarity, and mutual respect to our youths […]
Fifth, VECONAC should become more active, resilient, and responsive to the evolving regional context […]
Sixth, the «VECONAC Family Spirit» should be preserved and enhanced to serve as a unifying force within the ASEAN Community. I encourage all member associations to continue upholding VECONAC’s core values, including cooperation, respect for human dignity, and compassion.
I firmly believe that this 25th General Assembly will mark another significant milestone in further strengthening solidarity, friendship, and cooperation among veterans of ASEAN Member States while further reinforcing VECONAC’s role to become increasingly active and effective.
We must work together to ensure that the contributions and sacrifices of our veterans and pensioners are remembered with gratitude; that the experiences and lessons of war are transformed into lessons for peace; and that the solidarity among our veterans becomes a collective force contributing to the building of an ASEAN Community characterised by peace, stability, friendship, well-being, and lasting prosperity for our peoples and for generations to come.
- Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
On behalf of Samdech Techo, the President of the Cambodian Veterans and Pensioners Association, and on behalf of the Royal Government, I wish to express my highest appreciation for the outcomes of the 7th Working Committee Meeting (WCM-7) and the 38th Executive Board Meeting (EBM-38), which have further consolidated the fruitful achievements that we have collectively worked so hard to cultivate. We look forward to the adoption of the 11 important draft resolutions by the 25th VECONAC General Assembly.
We also look forward to the General Assembly’s approval of the proposals submitted by the 38th Executive Board Meeting (EBM-38) to advance the interests and well-being of all our veterans and pensioners.
In conclusion, I wish Excellencies, distinguished members of the Presidium, VECONAC delegates, national and international distinguished guests, and all members of this General Assembly a pleasant stay here.
I hereby declare the «25th General Assembly of the Veterans Confederation of ASEAN Countries (VECONAC)» officially open.
Thank You!