In brief
The conference opened in Phnom Penh on October 30, hosted by CamTech University, Sun Yat‑sen University and the China‑ASEAN Studies Center. Speakers urged upholding the UN Charter, resisting global fragmentation and strengthening ASEAN unity while highlighting China’s role in multilateralism. Panels examined multipolarity and trade dynamics, raising questions about decoupling and resilience for developing nations.
On Friday, October 30, Phnom Penh hosted an international conference on the “New World Order,” drawing scholars, policymakers and industry leaders to discuss geopolitics, technology, trade, and the future role of ASEAN in a rapidly changing world. The one‑day forum was co‑organized by Cambodia University of Technology and Science (CamTech University), Sun Yat‑sen University, and the China‑ASEAN Studies Center, and it aimed to provide a platform for dialogue on multilateralism and regional cooperation.
Keynote speaker Sok Siphana, a senior minister in charge of special missions for multilateral trade and economic affairs, framed the event as a strategic forum to share insights and navigate emerging challenges. He stressed that nations must “firmly uphold the United Nations Charter as the bedrock constitution of international society” while resisting fragmentation of the global economy. Siphana warned that indiscriminate decoupling could impoverish developing nations and solidify adversarial political blocs.
He further argued that ASEAN must fortify its unity to remain a neutral, inclusive platform where competing global powers can engage without forcing Southeast Asia to align with a single patron. This call for cohesion echoed the broader theme of the conference: the need for resilience, inclusivity and strategic cooperation in a multipolar world.
The forum featured two panel discussions. Panel 1 examined the strategic dynamics for ASEAN and the broader international community, while Panel 2 addressed the dynamics of multipolarity, multilateralism, and the agency of small states. Throughout the sessions, panelists highlighted China’s role in maintaining global security, stability, and development, and its promotion of multilateralism and inclusive global governance.
Participants also explored how digital technology is reshaping trade and economic policy. Discussions touched on the implications of emerging technologies for supply chains, data sovereignty, and the digital divide, though specific policy proposals were not detailed in the brief coverage. Analysts noted that the conference’s emphasis on technology reflected broader global concerns about how innovation can either bridge or widen gaps between developed and developing economies.
Among the attendees was first‑year student Him Gek Houn of CamTech University, who shared her experience listening to the conference’s keynote and panel discussions. “I learned that to truly come together and improve our world, we need to understand our neighbors’ perspectives and cultures,” Houn told Xinhua. “While we have different backgrounds, we still share the same planet. Therefore, we should come together on the basis of equality.” Her remarks highlighted the generational hopes for a more collaborative international order.
While the conference’s core message was one of collaboration and multilateralism, several open questions remained. Critics questioned the extent to which ASEAN could maintain neutrality amid growing pressure from larger powers. Others wondered how the proposed focus on China’s leadership would resonate with countries wary of possible dominance. No definitive policy documents were released, and the event appeared largely ceremonial, leaving many observers to ponder how the discussions will translate into concrete action.
Nonetheless, the conference underscored a clear appetite for dialogue among nations seeking to navigate the complexities of a re‑shaped world order. By foregrounding the importance of the UN Charter, the UN system, and ASEAN cohesion, the forum aimed to counteract trends toward fragmentation and exacerbate decoupling. Whether these aspirations will materialize in binding agreements or sustained collaboration remains to be seen.
