Cambodia accepted the role of ASEAN Chair with promises of moving forward to the
goal of an ASEAN Community scheduled for 2015. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen
emphasized earlier this year that Cambodia would fulfill its leadership role responsibly
and would work to neutrally moderate and mediate all regional and international issues.
He reaffirmed that Cambodia’s international standing and prestige have been enhanced
and strengthened as a result of its role within ASEAN. In addition, through ASEAN,
Cambodia wants to further expand its diplomatic and strategic space to serve its own
national interests. By successfully chairing ASEAN, Cambodia was hoping to get more
support for its bid—which was unsuccessful—to be a rotating non-permanent member of
the UN Security Council for 2013-2014