AKP Phnom Penh, July 16, 2025 -- Samdech Maha Rathsapheathika Thipadei Khuon Sudary, President of the National Assembly of Cambodia, received a courtesy call from H.E. Ms. Siti Rozaimeriyanty Dato Haji Abdul Rahman, Secretary General of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), on Tuesday afternoon at the National Assembly Palace.

During the meeting on the sidelines of the AIPA Caucus, Samdech Khuon Sudary praised the Secretary General’s innovative and transformative leadership, along with the dedication and professionalism of the AIPA Secretariat. She noted that under the current leadership, AIPA has gained renewed momentum and become increasingly relevant in advancing regional parliamentary cooperation.

Highlighting AIPA’s recent progress, Samdech pointed to significant breakthroughs in promoting gender equality and inclusive dialogue. She noted the growing impact of platforms such as the Women Parliamentarians of AIPA (WAIPA) and the Women Parliamentarians Leadership Forum (WPLF), which have played a key role in advancing women’s leadership across the region.

Samdech Khuon Sudary also emphasised the importance of strengthening interpersonal ties and regional solidarity, noting that AIPA’s recent initiatives have helped boost its visibility and credibility both within and beyond Southeast Asia.

“Dialogue and exchange of views, especially among young leaders, are key to building a culture of peace,” she said. 

“I commend the AIPA Roadshow in Cambodia, which engaged tens of thousands of youth, and the AIPA Young Parliamentarians Meeting for empowering future leaders.”

Samdech went on to note the rising interest in AIPA’s work from outside the ASEAN region, reflected in the growing number of observer parliaments and partner institutions participating in AIPA-led platforms, including the 16th AIPA Caucus recently held in Phnom Penh.

Samdech also expressed deep appreciation to the Secretary General for supporting the Universal Peace Charter, an initiative introduced by Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, President of the Senate. She reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment to parliamentary diplomacy and international cooperation, especially amid current geopolitical and technological rivalries.

“Cambodia continues to prioritise peaceful and cooperative relations with all neighbours, striving to make border areas zones of peace, friendship, and development,” Samdech stressed. “We must seek diplomatic solutions to border issues, based on international law. War cannot end war.”

H.E. Ms. Siti Rozaimeriyanty Dato Haji Abdul Rahman expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Cambodian Parliament for its strong support and engagement. She lauded Cambodia’s dynamic role in regional cooperation and acknowledged the Kingdom’s contributions in advancing regional integration.

The Secretary General said that AIPA must remain adaptable and impactful, and while more than 1,000 resolutions have been adopted over the years, efforts must now shift toward prioritisationand implementation.

“In my first year, I run; second year, I sprint; and third year, I teleport,” she said, describing her strategic vision for AIPA’s evolution.

She also applauded Cambodia’s recent initiatives, including the launch of the AIPA Lynch Platform, the expansion of observer participation, the promotion of the Universal Peace Charter, and the successful organisation of the AIPA Parliamentary Leaders Forum.

“AIPA must be inclusive in order to be sustainable,” she said, highlighting that the Cambodia-based AIPA Roadshow was the largest outreach initiative yet, with strong engagement from Cambodian youth.

The meeting underscored the deepening partnership between the AIPA Secretariat and the National Assembly of Cambodia, reaffirming both sides’ commitment to advancing parliamentary dialogue, regional peace, and mutual understanding.

AKP-National Assembly