Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet has called on the Veterans Confederation of ASEAN Countries (VECONAC) to strengthen regional solidarity, improve veterans’ welfare and use their experiences to promote peace and stability across ASEAN.
Speaking at the opening of the 25th VECONAC General Assembly at the Peace Palace on Monday, PM Hun Manet described VECONAC as an important platform for friendship, cooperation and the exchange of experience among veterans’ organisations across ASEAN.
Established on December 19, 1980, VECONAC has a role not only in supporting veterans and war-disabled people but also in promoting peace, stability and sustainable regional development, according to the Prime Minister.
Key Facts
| Indicator | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Veterans Confederation of ASEAN Countries (VECONAC) |
| General Assembly | 25th |
| Location | Peace Palace, Phnom Penh |
| Date | October 5, 2026 |
| Established | December 19, 1980 |
| Main focus | Veterans’ welfare, solidarity, peace and regional cooperation |
| Cambodia's previous hosting | 2019 |
| Cambodian association | Cambodian Veterans and Pensioners Association |
Six priorities for VECONAC
PM Hun Manet outlined six priorities for strengthening the organisation’s role.
1. Preserve the value of peace
The Prime Minister called for continued joint efforts to preserve and promote peace as a foundation for regional development and prosperity.
He highlighted the experiences of veterans as an important source of lessons about the consequences of conflict and the value of peace.
2. Strengthen solidarity among veterans
PM Hun Manet encouraged veterans’ associations across ASEAN to strengthen friendship, solidarity and cooperation.
He said VECONAC should continue serving as a bridge for exchanging knowledge, experience and best practices while developing joint programmes that provide practical benefits to veterans.
3. Improve veterans’ welfare
The Prime Minister said improving the quality of life and welfare of veterans should remain at the centre of VECONAC cooperation.
Areas highlighted included healthcare, social protection, livelihoods and dignity.
He also called for continued recognition of the contributions and sacrifices made by veterans and retired personnel.
4. Make veterans peace educators
PM Hun Manet called for greater recognition of veterans as peace educators who can connect historical experience with present and future generations.
He encouraged VECONAC to promote the sharing of veterans’ experiences with young people and help them understand the values of peace, reconciliation, solidarity and mutual respect.
He said veterans’ experiences should be transformed from lessons of war into lessons for peace.
5. Respond to a changing regional environment
The Prime Minister urged VECONAC to remain active and resilient as the regional environment evolves.
He called for the organisation to strengthen its effectiveness and continue adapting its cooperation to emerging circumstances.
6. Preserve VECONAC as a unifying force
PM Hun Manet also called on member associations to preserve the spirit of VECONAC as a unifying force within the ASEAN Community.
He highlighted core values including cooperation, respect for human dignity and compassion, saying these principles should continue guiding the organisation’s work.
Cambodia highlights its experience with peace and reconciliation
During his speech, Hun Manet highlighted Cambodia’s experience in ending decades of civil conflict through the Win-Win Policy, which he said restored national and territorial unity and brought full peace to the country.
He said veterans and retired personnel were among those who played direct roles in implementing the policy and national reconciliation.
“No one understands peace better than veterans,” he said, describing them as among the most effective advocates for peace.
The Prime Minister said VECONAC therefore has a mission extending beyond veterans’ welfare to include contributing to the preservation and promotion of peace.
Cambodia continues support for veterans
The Cambodian government has continued programmes supporting veterans and retired personnel, according to the report.
These include social security and healthcare services, assistance for families of fallen and deceased personnel, social land concessions and housing, as well as scholarships and vocational training for children and dependants of poor veterans and retired personnel.
The Cambodian Veterans and Pensioners Association also supports veterans and retired persons living in social land concession areas, with the objective of helping those facing difficult circumstances establish livelihoods and improve their living standards.
The association was established through the First National Congress of Representatives of Cambodian Veterans Associations on June 21, 2007. Its membership was later expanded to include retired former civil servants from various ministries and institutions, after which its name was changed from the Cambodian Veterans Association to the Cambodian Veterans and Pensioners Association.
Cambodia hosts VECONAC General Assembly for second time
The 25th General Assembly marks the second time Cambodia has hosted the VECONAC gathering.
The country previously hosted the event in 2019, under the presidency of then Prime Minister Hun Sen, who is now President of the Senate and President of the Cambodian Veterans and Pensioners Association.
PM Hun Manet expressed confidence that the 25th General Assembly would further strengthen friendship and cooperation among ASEAN veterans’ organisations and contribute to VECONAC becoming more active and effective.
Angkor Times Analysis
The 25th VECONAC General Assembly places veterans’ organisations within a broader regional role that extends beyond welfare and social protection.
Hun Manet’s six priorities emphasise three connected areas: veterans’ wellbeing, institutional cooperation and peace education. The emphasis on sharing veterans’ experiences with younger generations also positions veterans as custodians of historical memory and advocates for peaceful conflict resolution.
For ASEAN, the practical value of VECONAC will depend on how effectively member organisations translate these priorities into cooperation, welfare programmes and exchanges that benefit veterans while strengthening the region’s culture of peace and solidarity.
FAQs
What is VECONAC?
VECONAC is the Veterans Confederation of ASEAN Countries, a regional organisation connecting veterans’ organisations and associations across ASEAN.
What are PM Hun Manet’s six priorities for VECONAC?
They are preserving the value of peace, strengthening veterans’ solidarity, improving veterans’ welfare, recognising veterans as peace educators, responding to a changing regional environment and preserving VECONAC as a unifying force within ASEAN.
Where was the 25th VECONAC General Assembly held?
It was held at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh on October 5, 2026.
When did VECONAC begin?
The organisation was established on December 19, 1980.
How many times has Cambodia hosted the VECONAC General Assembly?
The 2026 gathering is the second time Cambodia has hosted the event, following the 2019 assembly.