Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen addresses the opening ceremony of the 27th Annual Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF-27) in Siem Reap, Cambodia, on Jan. 15, 2019. The forum focuses talks on politics, security, economy, trade issues and cultural cooperation. (Xinhua/Li Lay)
SIEM REAP, Cambodia, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni said in a royal message on Tuesday that dialogue and international cooperation are vital to solve global issues.
The monarch's message was read during the opening ceremony of the 27th Annual Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF-27) here.
"We are now entering a new era of international relations, characterized by an evolving multipolar world order that is challenged by interconnected and complex issues. No single country, no matter how powerful it is, can address global issues alone," Sihamoni said.
"We need dialogue and international cooperation to solve them, whether they are climate change, natural disaster, poverty and inequality," the monarch said.
He said the forum was important to discuss emerging international issues, share common concerns and perspectives, and to seek holistic solution to those issues and challenges.
Meanwhile, Sihamoni said multilateralism and the rules-based international system are under threat due to rising unilateralism, protectionism, extremism, nationalism and populism in different parts of the world.
"We need to be resilient and work together to promote an open, inclusive and rules-based multilateralism system. We need to build stronger international partnerships to realize the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030," he said.
The APPF-27 kicked off here on Tuesday, focusing talks on politics, security, economy, trade issues, and cultural cooperation.
The four-day forum brought together more than 200 parliamentary delegates from 21 countries.
