Prime Minister Hun Manet Expresses Gratitude to Forces for Defending Territory and Peace

On the occasion of International Day of Peace, September 21, 2026, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet expressed his profound gratitude to all combatants, female combatants, and members of the armed forces who have sacrificed their flesh and blood, and even their lives, to defend the motherland and bring peace to the people at all stages. This expression of gratitude was conveyed through a message from the Prime Minister on the occasion of International Day of Peace 2026. International Day of Peace is observed annually on September 21st by the United Nations (UN) to commemorate and promote the values of peace. Since 2001, countries worldwide, including Cambodia, have participated in reaffirming their collective commitment to promoting peace and expressing gratitude to all heroes who have made sacrifices for the cause of peace. On this occasion, Prime Minister Hun Manet also expressed his joy and deep respect for the noble ideals and heroism of all individuals who have contributed to restoring and building peace in all corners of the world, including in Cambodia. He also thanked the spirit of solidarity of the entire Cambodian people in supporting this noble cause. The Prime Minister stated: "Peace in Cambodia did not arise by chance, but is the fruit of struggle emerging from a very painful history and tragedy, through immense sacrifices made with patriotism and unwavering dedication by national leaders and our people." The message recalled that on November 9, 1953, the nation regained independence from French colonialism under the valiant leadership of the Khmer King, His Majesty King Norodom Sihanouk, the Father of National Independence. Unfortunately, the beloved motherland of Cambodia was divided and plunged into a protracted civil war and the genocidal regime of the Khmer Rouge, which deprived citizens of all basic freedoms and killed approximately over 3 million innocent Cambodians. The social, cultural, and economic infrastructure of the nation was almost completely destroyed. The victory of January 7, 1979, saved our people from the abyss of death and destruction under the savage regime of the Khmer Rouge. However, our nation had not yet escaped war and internal conflicts, even after the Paris Peace Agreement in 1991, achieved through strenuous negotiations and UN peacekeeping operations. It was not until the end of 1998, through the successful implementation of the "Win-Win Policy" championed by Prime Minister Hun Sen, who guaranteed its execution with his own life, that Cambodia was able to completely end the civil war that had dragged on for nearly three decades, achieving full peace and national unity – a priceless historical achievement unprecedented in the last over 500 years of Cambodian history. The complete peace that the Royal Government of Cambodia has strived to build, with the widespread support of the entire nation for the past 26 years, has been threatened and severely impacted by the war along the Cambodia-Thailand border. This war has claimed lives and affected the livelihoods of people in the border areas, and currently, thousands of families are displaced and have not yet been able to return to their original homes. The bitter historical experience and the current global situation clearly show that international law alone cannot guarantee peace without genuine political will and committed practical implementation. In this difficult situation, Prime Minister Hun Manet urged that our solidarity become a strong foundation to help strengthen peace.