29-12-2023 (PHNOM PENH) December 29 marks the official date for the commemoration of Cambodia’s 25 years of peace, with this year’s celebrations scheduled to take place from December 29 to 31. The festivities will commence with a special ceremony at the Win-Win Memorial in the Chroy Changvar district, located approximately 21 kilometers northeast of the capital, in the presence of Prime Minister Hun Manet, as announced by the Phnom Penh Municipal Administration.
The significance of the occasion lies in the dividends that Cambodia has reaped since the end of the armed conflict 25 years ago. The peace achieved during this period has served as a foundation for the country’s development and economic progress. Reflecting on the post-war era when Cambodia was rebuilt from the ruins left by the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime, Prime Minister Hun Manet emphasized the importance of safeguarding the achievements made thus far.
Manet highlighted the need for a clear goal to protect and preserve the peace that the nation has enjoyed. He stressed the collective responsibility to ensure that Cambodia will never regress to the dire circumstances of 40 years ago. Speaking at the launch of the Choeung Ek Wastewater Treatment Plant in Phnom Penh on December 27, Manet emphasized the imperative of resolute peace protection.
The scars of war and the suffering endured by the Cambodian people during the Khmer Rouge regime are etched into the collective memory of the nation. Manet acknowledged this painful reality and called for a steadfast commitment to prevent the recurrence of such bitterness. He urged Cambodians to remember their history not to dwell in the past but to take pride in the remarkable progress the Kingdom has achieved, even if it may still lag behind some nations.
Former Prime Minister Hun Sen, during the inauguration of the Win-Win Memorial in 2018, explained that although the Khmer Rouge was overthrown on January 7, 1979, pockets of fighting persisted across Cambodia. The conflict only reached a definitive end through his win-win policy, which advocated for the integration of Khmer Rouge fighters into the government. This process took place from 1996 to 1998, without any further loss of life from armed conflict.
Thong Mengdavid, a research supervisor at the Asian Vision Institute (AVI), emphasized the significance of remembering Cambodia’s past, considering the country’s history of instability, insecurity, and violence from the 1970s to 1998. He praised former Prime Minister Hun Sen’s dedication in ending the fighting and ensuring social security, national reconciliation, unity, peace, and economic development.
Mengdavid viewed the Win-Win Monument as a symbol of gratitude and harmony shared by all Cambodians. The monument has also become a center for research, attracting students, scholars, and the general public seeking a better understanding of Cambodia’s recent history and development.
As a site for reflection on the Kingdom’s history, the monument has gained popularity as a tourism attraction for both domestic and international visitors.
