Phnom Penh (FN), Apr. 22 – Cambodian Delegate Minister Jean François Tan presented two primary reasons that prompted the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) to extend an invitation to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet for delivering a special address at the high-level opening of the eightieth session of the Commission in Bangkok in person, while other ASEAN leaders were invited only to participate online.

Delegate Minister Jean François Tan spoke during the press conference on Monday (Apr. 22) after Samdech Thipadei successfully attended the high-level opening of the eightieth session of the UN-ESCAP at the invitation of Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Under-Secretary General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).

Jean François Tan underscored, "In my opinion, there are at least two reasons for the invitation. Firstly, in 2024, according to forecasts from international institutions, particularly the IMF, Cambodia's economic growth is projected to reach 6.1 per cent. If this forecast materialises, Cambodia's economic growth will outpace that of the other 10 ASEAN countries, signifying rapid development in 2024 based on Cambodia's overall economic growth trajectory. The country is progressing swiftly."

The delegate minister continued, "Furthermore, Cambodians are youthful and dynamic, with over 50 percent of the population under the age of 25. The vigour and vitality of the Cambodian population serve as catalysts for rapid social and economic advancement, particularly in the rapid adoption of digital technology."
=FRESH NEWS