Cambodia calls for enhancing intl co-op to address COVID-19 crisis

PHNOM PENH - Cambodia's National Assembly President Samdech Heng Samrin on Tuesday called for bolstering international cooperation and solidarity to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking at the 41st ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly via video conference, Samrin said the pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges such as public health concerns, mass gatherings, disruption to global supply chains, as well as serious global social and economic impacts.

"Hence, we all need to work together and enhance international cooperation and solidarity for our common interests and benefits," he said.

In ASEAN, the pandemic has been actively controlled in a timely manner with collective efforts in sharing best practices, knowledge and information, especially the recent establishment of the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund that addresses essential needs, he added.

Samrin said that fighting COVID-19 requires significant funding, supplies, and human resources, so the culture of sharing, solidarity and unity are crucial.

"While our region is struggling to recover from this crisis, we need to further deepen our regional integration to facilitate the flow of goods, services and people," he said.

ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Vietnam is the rotating chair of ASEAN for 2020.