The official invitation from U.S. President Donald Trump for Cambodia to join the Board of Peace as a founding member is a great honour for the Kingdom, said H.E. Pen Bona, Spokesperson of the Royal Government of Cambodia at a press briefing on Thursday.
He noted that although Cambodia is a small country, it is widely recognised internationally for its commitment to peace, a value earned through decades of effort and sacrifice by Cambodian leaders and people.
H.E. Pen Bona said the invitation reflects the international community’s recognition of Cambodia’s peace achievements, led by former Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, the architect of Cambodia’s peace process, and upheld by Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, who has made peace a top national priority.
Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet received the official invitation in a letter dated Jan. 16, 2026, in which President Trump invited Cambodia to become a Founding Member State and a party to the Charter of the Board of Peace. President Trump described the initiative as part of a historic global effort to consolidate peace, particularly in the Middle East.
In addition, H.E. Pen Bona stressed that peace has become Cambodia’s modern national identity and a foundation not only for national development but also for regional and global stability.
He added that Cambodia’s consistent promotion of peace and the “win-win” policy on international platforms over the past three decades has earned broad international respect.
The spokesperson also recalled that during recent border tensions, Cambodia’s call for peace – under the slogan “Cambodia Needs Peace” – drew global attention and support, contributing to ceasefire agreements and peace arrangements reached in 2025 with international backing, particularly from the United States, China and Malaysia.
