Cambodia : Phnom Penh Youth Rally for Peace Draws Tens of Thousands

On Thursday afternoon, a vast human tide dressed in the colors of peace swept through the main arteries of Phnom Penh. Tens of thousands of people from all walks of life — students, civil servants, monks, artists, workers and representatives of civil society organizations — took part in the march titled “March for Peace: Together for Peace,” organized by the Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia (UYFC).

Setting off from the Night Market, the procession followed the banks of the Tonlé Sap River, paused successively at the Samdech Chuon Nath roundabout, and concluded in a fervent atmosphere at Independence Monument Park. Banners, flags, flowers and songs of fraternity accompanied participants who came to voice a shared appeal: to safeguard stability and promote a culture of peace in a world increasingly shaped by tensions.

According to the UYFC spokesperson, the demonstration symbolizes “the commitment of young people to support a peaceful and united society, in line with the Royal Government’s vision of lasting peace and inclusive development.” Founded under the high patronage of Samdech Techo Hun Manet, the organization is part of the broader youth movement that has contributed to national unity following decades of conflict.

Peace remains a cornerstone value in Cambodia, the result of a long reconciliation process launched with the 1991 Paris Peace Accords and strengthened by a strategy of peaceful development implemented over the past two decades. According to UNESCO, Cambodian youth — who account for more than 60 percent of the population — play a key role in promoting social cohesion and intercommunal tolerance, notably through civic education and cultural programs.

Observers also note that the march reflects a growing determination among younger generations to engage in social life and to assert a civic identity grounded in universal values of peace, mutual respect and regional cooperation.

Beneath clear skies and in a warm, convivial atmosphere, the march concluded with a symbolic gathering around the Independence Monument, a powerful emblem of national unity. Participants observed a minute of silence for peace around the world — a reminder that for Cambodia, now a recognized actor within ASEAN and the United Nations, peace is not only a legacy to be preserved, but a promise to be passed on.