Earlier today, thousands of my fellow citizens gathered peacefully at the Independence Monument in Phnom Penh to mark 70 years of Cambodia's independence from France. This year, our celebrations take on greater significance as Cambodia is led by a new government with a young and competent leadership headed by Prime Minister Hun Manet.
The leadership of Hun Manet provides the United States with unique opportunities to engage more deeply with my country, and foster a relationship that can benefit both peoples and countries, while contributing to regional peace, stability, and development.
Cambodia's strategic location in Southeast Asia makes it a crucial player in the region. Historically, the nation has undergone significant political and social transformations, including the Khmer Rouge regime's brutal reign, when more than 3 million Cambodians were killed between 1975 and 1979, and our subsequent rebuilding efforts. Today, Cambodia is making great strides in establishing itself as a stable and prosperous nation.
Once one of the world's poorest countries, Cambodia has negligible unemployment, only 16 percent of the population is below the poverty line, and average life expectancy is nearly 77 years. We are poised to become an upper-middle income country by 2030. Successive governments have worked consistently to adopt policies and develop infrastructure that encourage investment and create sustainable jobs, prioritizing skills, infrastructure, clean water, energy, and technology. Access to education and health care is expanding rapidly, funded by a growing tax base that is bolstered by tourism and foreign investment. In fact, Cambodia has experienced an extended period of peace, political stability, and economic growth over nearly 40 years.
Fewer than three months into Prime Minister Hun Manet's administration, there are many reasons for the United States to be optimistic. Firstly, Cambodia has a young, dynamic, modern and practical leader who was educated in the U.S. and U.K., and graduated from the West Point Military Academy. Hun Manet is leading a government that is striving to preserve Cambodia's hard-earned peace and stability, while focusing on education, health, science and technology, and increasing domestic and foreign investment. He is implementing policies that maintain Cambodia's importance as a regional hub for Southeast Asia and beyond, while seeking to deepen economic and political relationships with the United States and all-important trading nations in the world. Cambodia is improving its transportation networks, energy capabilities, and industrial sectors while it becomes a more viable partner for the United States in the broader context of regional stability and economic integration.
In fact, Cambodia has shown a welcome pragmatism in its international relationships. Cambodia firmly upholds the U.N. Charter, as reflected in its staunch support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. It is important that countries acknowledge and respect Cambodia's autonomy in making diplomatic choices that align with its development goals.
Cambodia's growing economy offers opportunities for American businesses. Ford Motors is building a $21 million assembly plant in the Pursat Province of Cambodia. Coca-Cola, Cisco Systems, General Electric, DHL, FedEx, Citibank, Marriott, Caterpillar and a host of American companies already have a presence here. The United States can do more to tap into this emerging market, expand trade relationships, and encourage American investments.
The United States is regarded very highly by the Cambodian people. We are keen to expand our positive engagement with the United States through more dialogue and collaboration based on mutual trust and benefit. By focusing on shared values and economic opportunities, and collaborating to address regional challenges, the United States can build a constructive relationship with Cambodia that advances its own interests while contributing to stability and progress in the Asia-Pacific region.
His Excellency Keo Chhea is the ambassador of Cambodia to the United States.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
