DILI, 09 May 2025 (TATOLI) – Timor-Leste’s President and Nobel Peace Laureate, José Ramos Horta, bestowed the Grand Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste upon Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, the current President of the Senate and former Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, in recognition of his contributions to the country over the past two decades.
The prestigious award, Timor-Leste’s highest national honor, was presented during the Presidential Lecture Series I with the theme “Hun Sen’s Lessons: From Genocide and Poverty to Freedom and Prosperity,” held at the Nicolau Lobato Presidential Palace.
Hun Sen has served his nation with distinction for over four decades. Rising from humble beginnings to become Cambodia’s longest-serving Prime Minister (1985-2023), Samdech Techo Hun Sen played a pivotal role in liberating Cambodia from the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime, implementing the Paris Peace Agreement, and leading the nation’s reconstruction and development. Samdech Techo HUN SEN continued his service to Cambodia as President of the Privy Council and was elected President of the Senate in April 2024, cementing his legacy as one of Asia’s most influential statesmen and a key architect of Cambodia’s modern renaissance.
In his opening remarks at the Presidential Lecture 2025 Series I, President Horta highlighted the extraordinary journey of Hun Sen and the valuable lessons Timor-Leste can draw from Cambodia’s experience of post-conflict rebuilding.
“Your Excellency, your life’s journey—from the harrowing depths of war and devastation to the rebuilding of a nation—embodies the power of resilience, leadership, and vision,” said President Horta. “Cambodia’s transformation from genocide and extreme poverty to a nation on the path of stability and economic progress is a testament to the strength of your people and the policies that have guided this remarkable recovery.”
The ceremony underscored the deepening ties between two nations that share histories marked by conflict and post-conflict reconstruction. Timor-Leste recognized HUN SEN’s pivotal role in strengthening bilateral relations and his contributions to peace-building processes that offer valuable lessons on achieving stability—a fundamental prerequisite for national development.
In his keynote address, Hun Sen shared Cambodia’s remarkable journey from the devastating “Year Zero” of the Khmer Rouge genocide to achieving sustained peace and development. He emphasized the importance of his “Win-Win Policy,” which successfully ended nearly three decades of civil war without bloodshed through peaceful integration.
“I am very proud to have become a person who started the struggle with only four people to free our poor country from a brutal genocidal regime, using my own life as capital, my vast patriotic conscience as a force of courage, and my wisdom as a guiding compass,” Samdech Techo HUN SEN stated. “For me and the Cambodian people, peace is priceless and must be safeguarded at all costs. I understand that instigating a war may be easy, but building and sustaining peace is extremely difficult.”
Hun Sen highlighted three critical lessons from Cambodia’s experience: “First, ownership of the nation’s destiny is the most valuable asset for preserving national unity. When a nation loses ownership of its own destiny, it will inevitably suffer division and disaster. Second, the international community must work together to safeguard existing peace, even at great costs, rather than seeking or building a lost peace. Third, even if peace is achieved, it will not last long without national unification, reconciliation, social justice, and sustainable and inclusive development.”
The Presidential Lecture was moderated by Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Agio Pereira, with closing remarks by Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão.
Prime Minister emphasized a message of solidarity and resilience, stating that “the Timorese are not alone in having experienced hardship. Around our region, many peoples have faced war, displacement and loss. And we recognize those leaders who have carried the weight of history, who have shown courage and vision, and who have helped their countries move from conflict to peace — and from fragility to strength.” The Prime Minister added, “President HUN SEN, you should be proud of the story that you have told us today – about how you used peaceful methods to bring about peace and national reconciliation following a period of tragedy, division and genocide.”
This second official visit by Hun Sen to Timor-Leste since 2016 marks a significant milestone in strengthening the bonds of friendship and cooperation between Cambodia and Timor-Leste. The bilateral relationship continues to grow through mutual respect and shared aspirations for peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.
Hun Sen and the members of the Cambodian delegation concluded their official visit to Timor-Leste on May 9, 2025.
TATOLI
