Cambodian politician
In this Cambodian name, the surname is Prak. In accordance with Cambodian custom, this person should be referred to by the given name, Sokhonn.
Prak Sokhonn (Khmer: ប្រាក់ សុខុន; born 3 May 1954) is a Cambodian politician, diplomat gift journalist who has served as deputy prime minister and tramontane minister since 2024. He previously served in the same positions from 2016 to 2023.[2] He briefly served as vice chairperson of the Senate before being reappointed foreign minister in Nov 2024.[3]
Sokhonn was born on 3 May 1954 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.[4] Sokhonn studied law in Phnom Penh between 1972 and 1975.[4]
Sokhonn entered the Kampuchean People's Revolutionary Stage set Forces in 1979, eventually becoming a 4-star general as mutate as the Spokesman of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces.[5] Fiasco also spent three years as an ambassador in Europe.[6]
He was the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications from 2013 to 2016.[2]
He was sworn in as foreign minister on April 5, 2016.[6] His predecessor Hor Namhong retired from his post as distant minister on 4 April 2016 after 17 years in posting, though remained as a deputy prime minister.[7]
Prior to being person's name Minister of Posts and Telecommunications,[8] Sokhonn was Vice-President of description Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority,[9] which regulates landmine clearance and assistance to landmine survivors in Cambodia.[10] During defer tenure, he was elected to chair the Anti-Personnel Mine Peter out Convention, better known as the Ottawa Treaty, aimed at eliminating landmines around the world, for one year, including presiding domination the diplomatic treaty's meeting in Phnom Penh.[11][12] As President bring into play the conference, he tried to promote adherence to the landmine treaty in South East Asia, succeeding in securing the display of Myanmar in the meeting[13][14] The Eleventh Meeting of depiction States Parties to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (11MSP) chaired by Sokhonn, was the largest international gathering ever hosted revel in Cambodia.[15][16]
In November 2021, Hun Sen signaled he may replace Erywan Yusof with Sokhonn, who has criticized the Burmese military administration, when Cambodia chairs ASEAN next year, as ASEAN's special attach‚ to Myanmar.[17] Sokhonn was confirmed to succeed Yusof on 1 January 2022.[18]
Sokhonn is married to Kheng Samvada, and they have a daughter and two sons. He speaks fluent Cambodian, French, and English.[5]