Phnom Penh (VNA) – Cambodia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on September 11 issued a press release on the outcomes of the Post-Ministerial Conferences (PMCs) held on the sidelines of the 53rd ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM 53) and Related Meetings, which were organised virtually from September 9-12.

Regarding the ASEAN PCM+1 Session with the US, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn highlighted the achievements of good cooperation through both bilateral and regional frameworks.

He thanked the US for its support in healthcare sector and the strong presence on the ground of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in assisting countries like Cambodia in combating the contagion.

He expressed support for the draft Joint Statement on Human Capital Development. He encouraged the US to continue supporting programmes aimed at upskilling and reskilling the ASEAN workforce so as to enhance ASEAN's industry competitiveness.

On the ASEAN PCM+1 Session with Canada, Prak Sokhonn emphasised the importance of concluding an ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Area in order to energise the economic growth for both regions.

Meanwhile, at the ASEAN PMC+1 Session with New Zealand, as the country coordinator, the Cambodian official recommended more cooperation should be explored in areas such as digital economy and e-commerce; smart cities development; tourism, cybersecurity cooperation;  capacity building and human capital development in science, technology and innovation; agriculture, food security and food safety.

He reiterated Cambodia's commitment to work proactively with other ASEAN member countries and New Zealand for the convening of the ASEAN-New Zealand Leaders' Summit later this year to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the ASEAN-New Zealand Dialogue Relationship.

Regarding the ASEAN Ministerial Dialogue on Strengthening Women's Role for Sustainable Peace and Security, Prak Sokhonn highlighted Cambodia's diligence in implementing the UN’s women, peace, and security (WPS) agenda, citing Cambodia's contributions to the WPS as evidence of Cambodian women’s increasing participation in humanitarian, de-mining, and peacekeeping operations in many parts of the world.

He also announced that Cambodia will host an event on WPS on the sidelines of the 13th Asia – Europe Meting (ASEM 13) to strengthen cooperation on women empowerment between the two regions./.