In brief
On Friday, Oct. 30, Phnom Penh hosted a one‑day conference on the “New World Order,” co‑organized by CamTech University, Sun Yat‑sen University and the China‑ASEAN Studies Center. Speakers highlighted China’s multilateral leadership and urged ASEAN unity, while keynotes warned against wholesale decoupling and pledged to uphold the UN Charter. Scholars and industry pioneers debated multipolarity and the role of small states, leaving open questions about the conference’s lasting influence on regional cooperation and global trade patterns.
On Friday, Oct. 30, the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh opened its doors to a oneday international forum on the “New World Order,” drawing scholars, policymakers and industry pioneers from across the region and beyond. The event, co‑organized by the Cambodia University of Technology and Science (CamTech University), Sun Yat‑sen University and the China‑ASEAN Studies Center, aimed to spark dialogue on global geopolitics, technology, trade, economics, education and soft power.
The conference featured two panel discussions: the first examined the strategic dynamics for ASEAN and the broader international community, while the second explored the dynamics of multipolarity, multilateralism, and the agency of small states. During the opening, Cambodian senior minister Sok Siphana delivered the keynote address, outlining what he termed a “strategic platform” for exchanging insights and navigating emerging challenges in an interconnected world.
Siphana stressed the importance of upholding the United Nations Charter as the foundational document of international society, while cautioning that indiscriminate decoupling could impoverish developing nations and solidify adversarial political blocs. He argued that for ASEAN to remain relevant, member states must strengthen unity to keep the bloc a neutral, inclusive venue where global powers can engage without forcing Southeast Asia to align with a single patron.
Throughout the sessions, panelists highlighted China’s perceived role in maintaining global security, stability and development, while actively promoting multilateralism and inclusive global governance. The forum also attracted attention from students, such as first‑year CamTech attendee Him Gek Houn, who shared perspective on the value of firsthand exposure to global dialogue.
“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.”
Houn’s comments reflect a common theme at the conference: the necessity of cross‑border understanding and unity among nations of diverse backgrounds to address shared challenges. Other voices at the forum echoed the call for collaborative approaches to technology governance, trade liberalization and regional cooperation.
With a focus on “new world order” implications, the proceedings also touched on the evolving role of small states in an increasingly multipolar world. Participants discussed how small nations might leverage their agency within larger economic and political blocs while avoiding excessive dependency on dominant powers.
Key Takeaways
Chinese multilateral leadership was a central pillar of the discourse, as panelists reiterated the nation’s commitment to stable, inclusive governance. ASEAN’s unity and resilience against fragmentation were emphasized as essential for regional security and economic vitality. However, speakers acknowledged that decoupling or fragmentation would carry significant risks for developing economies, and urged careful, coordinated policy responses.
The conference concluded with a collective acknowledgement that trade, technology and soft power are interlinked forces shaping tomorrow’s geopolitical landscape. The event signaled an intent to continue watching the development of these dynamics, though it left open how effectively such discussions will translate into concrete regional or global agreements.
While the forum argued that ASEAN unity is paramount and that China’s multilateral role is constructive, the sources admit that the lasting influence of this single‑day gathering on real‑world policy remains uncertain, as does the ability of member states to avert fragmentation in the face of rising geopolitical tensions.
