Cambodia earns UN economic council seat

Tuy Ry, middle right, helped gain the appointment. Facebook

The Foreign Affairs Ministry yesterday said that Cambodia has been elected to become a non-permanent member of the United Nations Economic and Social Council for a duration of one year.

A ministry statement said that at the UN headquarters in New York on Wednesday, 183 of 188 countries supported Cambodia’s candidacy.

“This is another great success for the Kingdom of Cambodia in order to promote our national prestige and honour in the international arena,” the statement said.

Earlier this month, Cambodia was also elected as one of the vice presidents of the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly in New York. Cambodia will occupy the position for one year strarting in September.

“Cambodia will try its best to contribute in promoting high living standards, full employment and conditions of economic and social progress,” the statement issued yesterday added.

It said that Cambodia will promote international culture, education cooperation, economic and social health solutions, human rights and fundamental freedoms.

In March, Ambassador to the UN Tuy Ry met with his counterparts to seek their support for Cambodia’s candidacy for a seat at the economic council.

“Cambodia is proud to participate in the international arena, supported by members of the General Assembly,” Mr Ry said.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a Facebook post that it appreciated the efforts of Cambodian diplomats in obtaining the position.

“Thank you to our Ambassador Tuy Ry and his team for their tireless effort and for bringing prestige to the Kingdom,” the post said.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Chum Sounry said yesterday that Cambodia first expressed its interest in becoming a member of the council in 2014.

“Cambodia has spent four years to seek support from UN member countries,” Mr Sounry said. “It will also be an opportunity for Cambodia to contribute in helping other nations.”

Sok Touch, president of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said the decision will bring Cambodia international prestige.

“Other countries understand that Cambodia had to rebuild itself because we fell into a civil war and had to begin development from zero,” Mr Touch said.

Khmer Times
Ven Rathavong