HOR NAMHONG, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia, said his country welcomed the adoption of the post-2015 development agenda, and its success relied on implementing the lessons learned while achieving the Millennium Development Goals.  Poverty and food insecurity remained as stumbling blocks to development.  More than 800 million people were under-nourished and living below the poverty line today as the world’s population would increase to 9 billion people by 2050.  The answer to the challenge of greater food insecurity would be good governance, policy reform and more investments in food production.

Climate change was another serious global challenge, and many developing countries that were dependent on agriculture were suffering through storms, typhoons, frequent flooding and drought, he said.  Those natural disasters in turn impacted the countries’ food security, poverty levels and social welfare systems.  Cambodia strongly hoped the Climate Conference in Paris in December 2015 would produce a binding conclusion in accordance with the principle of “common differentiated responsibilities”.  In November 2013, Cambodia had launched the Cambodia Climate Change Strategic Plan 2014-2023, the first comprehensive national strategic plan to respond to climate change through adaptation, mitigation and low-carbon development.

Cambodia welcomed the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States after 52 years of an unjust embargo against the Cuban people, he said.  Cambodia demanded that all blockades be lifted unconditionally after the resumption of diplomatic relations.  Cambodia also welcomed the joint action plan over the nuclear programme between Iran and the P5 plus Germany.  It believed the accord was not only a turning point in Iran-United States relations, but would create an atmosphere conducive to regional peace, security and political stability.  Turning to reform of the United Nations, Cambodia believed the General Assembly should be more empowered to enhance global governance in the United Nations system.  The Economic and Social Council had to follow up to ensure the effective implementation of the 2030 Agenda.  The Security Council should be more democratic and representative in its permanent and non-permanent membership.