The Mekong Region in the Wake of COVID-19: Challenges and Prospects

The state alone cannot respond to the worst economic recession in decades. Recovery requires the participation of the private sector and civil society. This opens political space for non-state actors to get involved. In turn, a multi-stakeholder and whole-of-society approach have emerged as norms of political governance, contributing to regime legitimacy and political stability. https://asiasociety.org/policy-institute/mekong-region-wake-covid-19-challenges-and-prospects

Cambodia’s battle against the Covid-19 pandemic

https://fulcrum.sg/cambodias-battle-against-the-covid-19-pandemic-not-a-matter-of-luck/

Building a Sustainable, Inclusive and Resilient Cambodia

Khmer Times, 27 April 2020 “Reforming at home and making friends abroad based on the spirit of independence” has become the mainstream foreign policy strategy of Cambodia. Foreign policy is an extension of domestic politics. In addition to the foreign policy objectives stated in the Constitution, another critical objective of foreign policy is to create …

In search of crisis leadership in coping with Covid-19

AKP, 23 March 2020 Uncertainties and disruptions are the current norms. Human beings are adaptive, especially in times of crisis. What matters most now is “crisis leadership”, a leadership that can swiftly and timely develop strategic foresight with practical actions. Crisis management needs strong leaders with strategic thinking and plans. We are looking for leaders …

How should Cambodia respond to Covid-19

AKP, 18 March 2020 Making a move with critical preparedness, readiness and response actions is the only way to deal with pandemic diseases. Yesterday, the Ministry of Health of Cambodia announced that there were 21 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in one day- making the total number of confirmed cases to 33. Most of the …

How to strengthen ASEAN-EU Partnership

The Khmer Times, 13 March 2020 The European Union (EU) became the dialogue partner of ASEAN in 1977, making the EU one of the oldest partners of ASEAN. The EU has played an important role in assisting the ASEAN member states, especially the less developed economies, to build their institutional capacity to further integrate into …

Morals matter in foreign policy

Khmer Times, 19 Feb 2020 To realists, in foreign policy and international relations, national survival and interest come  first. Especially when survival is at stake, ends justify the means. Therefore, moral values are not relevant in foreign policy analysis. The overreactions by some countries to the outbreak of Covid-19 are cases in point. Naturally, human …

New Economy, Civic Engagement Vital for People-Centered Asean

Khmer Times, 5 February 2020 Countries and societies in Southeast Asia are searching for development models that are more inclusive, sustainable and resilient given the fact that the existing development model is not sustainable, evidenced by the widening socio-economic inequality, environmental degradation and the prevalence of social injustice in some societies in the region. One …

Cambodia calls for the enhancement of multilateralism

Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen called for the restoration and enhancement of an open and inclusive multilateral system and rules-based international order at the second Asia Pacific Summit in Phnom Penh. His statement clearly illustrates that multilateralism is one of Cambodia’s foreign policy objectives and interests. The question is how this small state can allocate …

Korea’s New Southern Policy 2.0

This week in Busan, the Republic of Korea (ROK) is organising two important international events, the commemorative summit with ASEAN to celebrate their 30th anniversary of dialogue partnership and the first Mekong-Korea Summit. Under the New Southern Policy, the ROK has invested significant efforts and resources to connect itself with Southeast Asia, at both multilateral …