Phnom Penh: Cambodia encourages stronger cooperation and stands ready to join hands in addressing security issues in the Indo-Pacific region. H.E. Gen. Vong Pisen, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF), voiced the stand in a virtual Indo-Pacific Chiefs of Defence (CHODs) meeting on Feb. 5.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the meeting was chaired by Mr. Samuel J. Paparo, Commander of United States Indo-Pacific Command, and aimed to discuss the regional vision on security and deepen cooperation among country representatives. On behalf of Cambodia, H.E. Gen. Vong Pisen underlined challenges on cybercrimes, transnational crimes, terrorism, raiders, climate change, and natural disasters that require more cooperation, particularly resource sharing, skill exchange, and strategic plan development.

He also highlighted the need for good coordination between military and civilians to address the challenges effectively. The RCAF commander-in-chief appreciated the regional military cooperation to address security issues so far to ensure peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. He reaffirmed that Cambodia is ready to launch a cooperation for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief with other countries within the region.