(Phnom Penh): Cambodia officially opened the Second Interparliamentary Speakers’ Conference (ISC-2) in Phnom Penh on Thursday morning (Aug. 27), bringing together parliamentary leaders and representatives from around the world to promote peace, international law, and shared prosperity.
The opening ceremony featured a Royal Message from King Norodom Sihamoni, followed by remarks from Ek Nath Dhakal, Secretary General of the ISC, and Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, Founding Chairman of the ISC and Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan. Former United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon also delivered a congratulatory message.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet delivered the keynote address, while Senate President Samdech Techo Hun Sen, who chairs ISC-2, delivered the opening remarks.
Held from 26 to 28 August, the conference is organised under the theme “Solidarity for Peace and Shared Prosperity: Strengthening International Law and Resolving Conflicts Peacefully.”
ISC-2 brings together Speakers of Parliament and parliamentary representatives from 26 countries, alongside representatives of five international organisations, including the Global Council for Tolerance and Peace, Latin American and Caribbean Parliament, ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), and Universal Peace Federation.
Established in April 2025, the ISC serves as a high-level platform for parliamentary diplomacy, bringing legislative leaders together to address global challenges, strengthen international cooperation, advance sustainable development, and promote lasting peace.
The ISC’s inaugural conference committee meeting was held in Seoul, Republic of Korea, in April 2025 under the theme “Building Global Consensus: Strengthening Peace and Shared Prosperity through Interparliamentary Dialogue.”
Its first conference was subsequently held in Islamabad, Pakistan, in November 2025 under the theme “Peace, Security and Development,” culminating in the unanimous adoption of the Islamabad Joint Declaration.
Building on those efforts, the Phnom Penh conference seeks to strengthen trust, uphold international law, promote the peaceful resolution of conflicts, and advance open and inclusive multilateralism. Delegates are also expected to exchange perspectives on emerging global challenges, including technological security and climate change.
Cambodia’s hosting of ISC-2 further highlights the Kingdom’s growing engagement in parliamentary diplomacy and provides a platform to contribute to regional and global efforts toward peace, multilateral cooperation, sustainable development, and shared prosperity.
=FRESH NEWS
