Hun Sen marks 41 years since becoming Prime Minister
Senate President Hun Sen is a five-star general and military strategist. Senate
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Synopsis: Senate President recalls his time as the Prime Minister of Cambodia, an office he assumed in 1985 at age 32, the youngest person to hold the position in the world at the time.
Senate President Hun Sen on Wednesday marked the 41st anniversary of him assuming the office of Prime Minister, reflecting on the many experiences he endured, both bitter and sweet.
Mr Hun Sen has been Senate President since April 2024, having been elected to the position during the fifth mandate of the Senate.
In a post on Wednesday, he said: “Almost forgot! Today marks the 41st anniversary of my tenure as Prime Minister (January 14, 1985 – January 14, 2026). At that time, I was the youngest Prime Minister in the world at 32 years old, after serving as Minister of Foreign Affairs in January 1979 at age 27, and as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs in June 1981 at age 29.”
He added: “My time in government for more than 44 years and in the Senate for nearly 3 years—a total of over 47 years—has made me familiar with almost every aspect of the nation and its people’s challenges, as well as regional and international issues.”
At 27, he became Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of Kampuchea in 1979 after the fall of the Khmer Rouge regime. He next served as Deputy Prime Minister from 1981 to 1985.
He took office as Prime Minister on January 14, 1985, following the death of Chan Sy in December 1984. At 32, he was the world’s youngest Prime Minister at the time while also serving as Foreign Minister until 1991.
Internationally known as the “strongman Hun Sen,” he played a key role in overthrowing the brutal Democratic Kampuchea regime and integrating the last Khmer Rouge soldiers into the government in 1998.
His Win-Win Policy has been widely celebrated for fostering peace and stability in Cambodia.
Geopolitical analyst Thong Mengdavid, a lecturer at the Royal University of Phnom Penh, said that under Mr Hun Sen’s leadership, Cambodia ended its prolonged civil war and achieved full peace in 1998.
“Thanks to the Win-Win Policy, Cambodia built lasting peace, national unity, and social harmony. Under his leadership, combined with a free market economy and an open foreign policy, Cambodia laid a strong foundation for over two decades of economic growth averaging over 7 percent annually, lifting millions out of poverty,” Mengdavid said.
He noted that during the COVID-19 pandemic, Cambodia successfully contained the virus and ranked among the countries with the highest vaccination rates in the world.
“Samdech Techo is a pragmatic politician whose vision and leadership are grounded in personal experience, historical knowledge, and Cambodia’s socio-economic and political context,” Mengdavid added.
“He is a peace-loving leader who upholds the monarchy and deeply respects Buddhism, which has enabled Cambodia to make progress across nearly all sectors and earn recognition on the international stage.”
In August 2023, Mr Hun Sen announced he would step down after nearly four decades in power, paving the way for his eldest son, General Hun Manet, to lead the new government.
He emphasised the need for a Cabinet with “fresh blood” to manage government affairs, while urging leaders in their 70s and 80s to continue guiding the younger generation.
As Senate President, Mr Hun Sen has strengthened the institution’s political influence through parliamentary diplomacy, expanding inter-parliamentary cooperation with legislative bodies worldwide. Under his leadership, the Senate has enhanced its prestige, contributing to liberal democracy, national development, and effective governance through legislation, oversight, and representation.
Since assuming the Senate presidency in April 2024, he has undertaken several official visits abroad, including to China in December 2024, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates in December 2024, Laos in February 2025, and Indonesia in May 2025.
He visited Timor-Leste last May, where he received an exceptionally warm welcome from President José Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Kai Rala Xanana Gusmão.
President Ramos-Horta personally escorted Mr Hun Sen to his hotel, while Prime Minister Gusmão accompanied him in an open-top vehicle.
Kin Phea, Director-General of the Institute of International Relations at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, described Mr Hun Sen as a statesman with profound domestic and international experience, noting that his leadership provides valuable lessons for future Cambodian leaders.
Phea highlighted his achievements, including liberation from the Pol Pot genocidal regime; reconstruction and development of Cambodia; peace-building from early negotiations to the Paris Peace Agreement; strengthening Cambodia’s prestige internationally and developing human resources through education and training.
He praised Mr Hun Sen’s parliamentary diplomacy, noting that the Senate became more active and effective under his leadership, with improved inter-parliamentary cooperation, accountability, and legislative quality.
“As President of the Senate, he has conducted parliamentary diplomacy far more effectively. In the past, such diplomacy in both the National Assembly and the Senate was not very active, but under his leadership, it has become significantly more vigorous and impactful,” said Phea.
-Khmer Times-
