In the lecture organized by the Economic Research Institute for Asean and Asia Wschodnia (ERIA) in Jakarta on May 6, 2025. Samak Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun, president of the Cambodia Senate and former prime minister, shared her reflections on the experience of Cambodia in constructing a room after a long time of the conflict
Talking to scholars, diplomats and students from a series of leadership lectures Eria School of the federal government, Techo’s male discussed the role of dialogue, trust and political will in shaping recovery after Cambodia’s conflict. The session also examined how these rules can support long-term stability in Southeast Asia.
From conflict to reconciliation
In his lecture, “Peace and national reconciliation in Cambodia: lessons for Southeast Asia”Hun Sen presented how Policy winningIntroduced in 1998, he helped in full peace and territorial unity in Cambodia – without violence.
He also shared personal reflections on decisions taken during critical periods, including his selection of support in Vietnam in 1977 to assist the Khmer Rouge end to assist. He emphasized the importance of maintaining historical truth and understanding the prices of conflict.
“Without the support of Vietnam, no country would dare to overthrow the bloody regime,” he said.
Regional significance
Eria School of Government Dean, prof. Nobuhiro Aizawa, he noticed that the experience of Cambodia has shaped the broader stability of Southeast Asia:
“Without leadership, Samyrah Techo and Cambodia to beat the tragedy of the 70s. Our region wouldn’t be as protected because it is today.”
Prof. Aizawa called the reconciliation of Cambodia a “peace dividend”, which brought advantages in your entire region, and emphasized the importance of documenting such leadership experiences as a way to conduct future generations.
Building trust abroad
President Eria Prof. Tetsuya Watanabe added that the role of Hun Dream went beyond Cambodia, contributing to regional diplomacy and integration:
“For a long time of involvement, Samyrah Techo has helped transform Cambodia and played a key role in strengthening trust in ASEAN.”
He also noticed Cambodia’s contribution to the idea of Eria and prolonged support for regional cooperation.
Lessons for the long run
In his entire speech, Hun Sen emphasized that you need to approach peace as a standard responsibility. He called for future decision -makers to speculate in dialogue, reconciliation and integration development to take care of long -term stability.
He also reminded the audience that the progress in Cambodia didn’t happen overnight. Reconstruction of management, recovery of the economy and uniting society were long processes that require consistency and negotiations – not strength.
Closing reflection
For Eia and her government school, the lecture served each as historical reflection and an invite for the subsequent generation to learn from the last past of Southeast Asia. Cambodia’s experience shows that a balanced room is feasible to attain – and that leadership, based on dialogue and integration, plays a key role on this process.
