Cambodian scholar urges deeper security cooperation at SCO summit
International Relations Institute of Cambodia Director General Kin Phea speaks at the 2026 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Media and Think Tank Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, yesterday afternoon. AKP
Amid escalating cross-border threats, a leading Cambodian academic has urged regional bodies to reinforce collaborative security frameworks to safeguard long-term stability.
Speaking at the 2026 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Media and Think Tank Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, International Relations Institute of Cambodia Director-General Kin Phea emphasised that modern geopolitical and transnational challenges demand multilateral solidarity.
Addressing delegates under the theme “The New Era Significance of the Shanghai Spirit: From Value Consensus to Cooperative Practice,” Phea noted that the 25-year-old SCO has established itself as an influential platform for sustainable development. He argued that the foundational principles of the Shanghai Spirit—highlighting mutual trust, equality, and dialogue—offer an effective blueprint to navigate modern crises rather than confrontation.
Drawing attention to contemporary vulnerabilities, Phea outlined pressing regional hazards, including terrorism, violent extremism, sophisticated cybercrime, climate disruption, and health emergencies. Because these dangers transcend sovereign boundaries, he asserted that isolationist policies are obsolete and that no single nation can manage them independently.
The Cambodian scholar commended China’s contributions to multilateralism and the Global Security Initiative, pointing to tangible milestones achieved through intelligence sharing, counterterrorism initiatives, and joint law enforcement.
Highlighting Cambodia’s diplomatic stance, Phea reiterated that national foreign policy remains anchored in the United Nations Charter, international law, respect for sovereignty, and the peaceful resolution of disputes. Having transitioned from a conflict-affected state into an active participant in international peacebuilding, Cambodia continues to champion UN peacekeeping missions, humanitarian demining, and preventive diplomacy, alongside bolstering cooperation between ASEAN and the SCO.
To future-proof regional resilience, Phea proposed three strategic priorities: intensifying joint efforts against non-traditional threats, upholding a rules-based international order through institutional synergy, and expanding Track II diplomacy via think tanks and media networks to foster strategic trust.
The summit convened around 260 delegates from nearly 150 mainstream media outlets, research institutions, and government bodies across SCO member states. The Cambodian delegation was led by Ministry of Information Under Secretary of State Prak Thaveak Amida. Established in 2001, the SCO includes China, Russia, and Central Asian nations, with Cambodia participating as an official dialogue partner. AKP
