Draft Law on Addendum to Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone Treaty to Promote Regional and Global Peace and Security Adopted

Phnom penh: The National Assembly (NA) this morning discussed and unanimously approved the draft law on the adoption of the Addendum to the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ).

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the three-article draft law will serve as a legal instrument for maintaining Southeast Asia as a zone free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, particularly in promoting peace, stability, and security for the region as well as the world. Cambodia has always supported a nuclear-weapon-free zone, recognising it as an important factor in preventing war and avoiding an arms race.

The adoption of the draft law on the Addendum to the SEANWFZ Treaty brings significant benefits to Cambodia. It enhances the Kingdom's prestige on the international stage by demonstrating Cambodia's commitment as an active ASEAN member to advancing regional integration.

The Addendum expands the definition of the Zone to include the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste as the 11th member of ASEAN. It also reflects Cambodia's contribution to regional and global peace and security through support for Southeast Asia as a nuclear-weapon-free and weapons-of-mass-destruction-free zone.