In brief
An international conference on the “New World Order” opened in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on Friday, gathering academics, industry leaders and policymakers to discuss geopolitics, digital technology, trade, and the role of ASEAN. Cambodian minister Sok Siphana highlighted the need for resilient economies and ASEAN cohesion amid a fragmented global economy, while student participants noted the value of cross‑cultural understanding.
An international conference titled “New World Order” opened in Phnom Penh on Friday, drawing scholars, policymakers and industry veterans to debate geopolitics, technology, trade and the future of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The one‑day forum was organized by CamTech University, Sun Yat‑sen University and the China‑ASEAN Studies Center, with talks focusing on the strategic dynamics of a multipolar world and the agency of small states within a multilateral framework (cooperation among multiple nations).
The opening highlighted two panels. The first examined strategic dynamics for ASEAN and the broader international community, while the second explored how multipolarity can coexist with multilateralism—proposing that smaller states retain decisive influence without becoming tools of larger powers.
In his keynote, Cambodian senior minister Sok Siphana, who heads multilateral trade and economic affairs, framed the event as a strategic platform for exchanging insights on emerging global challenges. He urged nations to uphold the United Nations Charter as the foundation of international society and warned that indiscriminate decoupling would “impotent[ize] developing nations and solidify adversarial blocs.”
“Nations must firmly uphold the United Nations Charter as the bedrock constitution of international society while actively resisting the fragmentation of the global economy.”
Siphana emphasized that ASEAN must strengthen its unity to remain a neutral and inclusive forum, allowing competing global powers to engage without forcing Southeast Asia to align with a single patron. He also stressed that China’s role in maintaining global security, stability, and development is crucial, as it actively promotes multilateralism and inclusive global governance.
Students and junior researchers also contributed. CamTech University first‑year student Him Gek Houn spoke about her experience at the conference, stressing the importance of understanding neighboring perspectives:
“I learned that to truly come together and improve our world, we need to understand our neighbors' perspectives and cultures. While we have different backgrounds, we still share the same planet. Therefore, we should come together on the basis of equality.”
Houn noted the conference’s value as a historical learning experience, describing how it broadened her views on international cooperation and the interconnectedness of technology, economics, and soft power.
Industry leaders highlighted the accelerating importance of digital technologies—especially quantum computing and artificial‑intelligence platforms—in creating resilient trade networks. They argued that embracing advanced computation can mitigate the risks of economic fragmentation by enabling more efficient supply chains and transparent cross‑border data flows.
While the conference did not present new empirical data, it underscored a recurring theme: that a future shaped by multipolarity demands robust multilateral institutions and strong regional coalitions. The discussion around ASEAN’s role mirrored strategic thinking in the world’s fastest growing market, highlighting that the bloc’s cohesion is essential for balancing the influence of larger powers in a rapidly digitizing economy.
At the close of the day, participants agreed that while the challenges to global cooperation are significant, sustained dialogue—underpinned by shared scientific and economic interests—could chart a viable path toward a more stable and inclusive world order.
