Hun Sen Urges Stronger Border Cooperation With Vietnam and Laos
Hun Sen Urges Stronger Border Cooperation With Vietnam and Laos
RATANAKIRI, 8 July 2026 — Senate President Hun Sen has urged authorities in Ratanakiri province to strengthen border cooperation with neighbouring Vietnam and Laos to maintain peace and promote greater economic and trade relations among the three countries.
Hun Sen made the remarks on 8 July 2026 during a meeting with provincial, municipal, district, commune and sangkat councils, as well as officials from government departments and institutions across Ratanakiri province.
During the meeting, the Senate president expressed his pleasure at returning to meet local officials in the northeastern province and praised provincial leaders, civil servants and local working groups for their efforts and achievements.
Hun Sen said Cambodia’s northeastern provinces are expected to develop into the country’s fourth major economic pole, focusing primarily on agro-industry and mineral resources.
He said the development of the fourth economic pole would contribute to national economic growth and support Cambodia’s ambition of becoming a high-income country by 2050.
The Senate president also reminded civil servants, particularly commune and sangkat councils, to continue fulfilling their responsibilities in serving the country and its people.
He urged local authorities to provide essential public services quickly and efficiently while strengthening tax and customs revenue collection. He also called for stricter measures against tax evasion and businesses operating without paying required taxes to increase national revenue.
Hun Sen stressed the importance of maintaining national stability, security and public order through the continued implementation of Cambodia’s Safe Village-Commune-Sangkat Policy.
He called on authorities to strengthen efforts against crimes including robbery, snatching, drug trafficking and technology-related offences.
The Senate president also urged authorities at all levels to continue supporting veterans and retirees, noting their significant contributions to Cambodia’s national development.
He called for regular visits and activities to ensure former servicemen and retirees do not feel isolated. Authorities and relevant institutions were also instructed to pay close attention to the living conditions and welfare of fallen and disabled soldiers and their families.
Hun Sen said assistance for veterans should extend beyond immediate welfare support and include efforts to provide their children with access to higher education so they can become educated professionals, describing this as a way of recognising their families’ contributions to the country.
He also instructed local authorities to resolve land disputes quickly and effectively, particularly through mechanisms outside the court system, while remaining impartial toward all parties involved.
Authorities were further urged to strengthen the protection and conservation of natural resources and prevent environmental crimes.
Hun Sen reminded officials to remain attentive to the concerns of local communities and avoid actions that could cause public dissatisfaction, stressing that government officials are not the “bosses” of the people.
Concluding his remarks, Hun Sen called on Ratanakiri authorities to strengthen cooperation along Cambodia’s borders with Vietnam and Laos.
He said the three countries should continue maintaining their shared borders as areas of peace and cooperation while expanding economic and trade relations for their mutual benefit.
