Cambodia has emerged as a proactive voice in global peace diplomacy, transitioning from a conflict-ridden nation to a strategic mediator in regional and global affairs. The country’s evolving foreign policy, emphasizing multilateralism, historical reconciliation, and regional cooperation, has positioned it as an influential actor despite its modest size and complex domestic challenges.
From War-Torn Nation to Peace Advocate
Once devastated by civil war and the Khmer Rouge’s genocidal regime, Cambodia has rebuilt its international reputation through active participation in peace diplomacy. A significant milestone came during the 11th Plenary Session of the International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace in Phnom Penh, where Cambodia led discussions resulting in the Universal Peace Charter—a symbolic but crucial step in promoting dialogue over conflict.
Backing this commitment with action, Cambodia has deployed nearly 10,000 peacekeepers across UN missions in ten countries since 2006, including Mali, Lebanon, and South Sudan. Despite limited resources, Cambodia has emerged as one of the most consistent contributors to global peacekeeping in Southeast Asia.
However, the shift from conflict victim to peace advocate is not without contradictions. While Cambodia promotes global peace, its domestic policies—marked by restricted political freedoms and press censorship—have raised concerns about the consistency of its peace diplomacy narrative.
Peace Diplomacy in the Mekong Region
The Mekong region, home to over 240 million people, has increasingly become a focal point for economic cooperation and regional tensions. Cambodia’s approach emphasizes diplomacy over confrontation, promoting collaborative solutions for cross-border disputes and development challenges.
This was evident during Cambodia’s 2022 ASEAN chairmanship, where Phnom Penh took a leadership role in mediating the Myanmar crisis, pushing for humanitarian assistance and regional dialogue despite ongoing violence in the country.
At the same time, Cambodia has actively engaged in border negotiations with Thailand and Vietnam, emphasizing international law and peaceful resolutions, avoiding historical conflicts from resurfacing in the region. This commitment has positioned Cambodia as a stabilizing force within ASEAN, despite challenges in influencing larger regional powers.
However, critics point out Cambodia’s deepening economic dependence on China through its involvement in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). While Chinese investments have driven infrastructure development, they have also raised concerns about Cambodia’s diplomatic autonomy when balancing relations with other regional powers.
Cambodia’s Global Contributions to Peace and Security
Beyond the region, Cambodia has taken on significant roles in global peacekeeping. As of 2023, the nation has deployed 9,205 personnel, including 726 female peacekeepers, in various UN missions worldwide. This commitment underscores Cambodia’s belief in collective security and its aspiration to play a constructive role in global conflict resolution.
Cambodia’s expertise in demining also reflects its unique contribution to global peace efforts. Having cleared over 1,700 square kilometers of landmines within its own territory, Cambodia has become a global leader in demining, sharing its expertise with over 1,000 deminers from 20 countries. This contribution reflects Cambodia’s painful past while transforming its legacy into a force for humanitarian progress.
Yet, some analysts argue that Cambodia’s peacekeeping efforts are often more symbolic than influential, as the nation lacks the geopolitical weight to drive major global policy shifts independently.
The Win-Win Policy
Cambodia’s modern diplomatic narrative is largely shaped by the Win-Win Policy, a conflict resolution approach spearheaded by former Prime Minister Hun Sen in the late 1990s. Designed to end decades of internal conflict, the policy emphasized military integration, political reconciliation, and trust-building measures that ultimately neutralized the Khmer Rouge’s remnants.
The policy played a pivotal role in restoring national stability, contributing to Cambodia’s impressive 7% annual GDP growth in the two decades leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, while the Win-Win Policy is often celebrated for its role in securing peace, it has also faced criticism for concentrating power within Hun Sen’s administration and limiting democratic freedoms.
Despite these concerns, Cambodia continues to cite the Win-Win Policy as a model for post-conflict stability and diplomatic reconciliation, often presenting it as a case study in ASEAN forums and international conflict discussions.
Transitional Justice: The Khmer Rouge Tribunal’s Mixed Legacy
The Khmer Rouge Tribunal (ECCC), established in 2006 to prosecute those responsible for the Khmer Rouge atrocities, has been central to Cambodia’s efforts in transitional justice. It successfully convicted key figures like Kaing Guek Eav (Duch) and Nuon Chea, while also engaging over 500,000 citizens through educational initiatives on historical accountability.
However, the tribunal’s mixed legacy includes criticisms over its $300 million cost and the limited number of convictions achieved. While it has succeeded in preserving historical memory, concerns remain over whether the tribunal delivered full justice to the victims and their families.
Cambodia’s Position on the Russia-Ukraine Conflict
Cambodia’s peace diplomacy was put to the test during the Russia-Ukraine war. The country took a principled stance, aligning with 142 nations in a UN General Assembly resolution condemning Russia’s annexation of Ukrainian territories in 2022. This decision reflected Cambodia’s broader commitment to international law and sovereignty protection.
Drawing from its own painful experiences with landmine contamination, Cambodia also condemned the potential use of cluster munitions in Ukraine, warning of their long-term humanitarian consequences. However, Cambodia’s limited geopolitical influence means its contributions remain largely symbolic, focused more on moral advocacy than direct conflict mediation.
A Peace Diplomacy Model in Progress
Cambodia’s journey from a war-torn nation to a regional peace advocate is a powerful example of how historical trauma can be transformed into diplomatic strength. Its emphasis on dialogue, multilateralism, and humanitarian efforts, including peacekeeping and demining, has positioned it as a significant voice for stability in Southeast Asia.
However, sustaining this influence will require Cambodia to address its domestic governance issues and ensure its commitment to peace is consistent both at home and abroad. As global tensions rise, Cambodia’s model of pragmatic diplomacy, shaped by its own difficult past, offers valuable lessons for nations seeking peace amid complex challenges.
