PHNOM PENH, Cambodia: Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn said on Tuesday that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) must deepen its centrality, unity, and solidarity in order to confront key challenges for regional and global peace, security, and sustainable development.

In a keynote address at a workshop on Cambodia's contributions to the bloc since joining in 1999, he said, "We are of the opinion that the current regional and international circumstances needs the deepening of our shared commitment to ASEAN centrality, unity, and solidarity." "It is also critical for ASEAN to strengthen its 'Togetherness' spirit if we are to be effective in addressing our common pressing concerns to secure regional and global peace, security, and sustainable development," he added.

Cambodia will continue to draw on ASEAN's spirit of "Togetherness" to consolidate efforts, both within the bloc and with partners, to realise the aims of building a resilient community, according to the "ASEAN Community Vision 2025," said Sokhonn, who is also a Deputy Prime Minister.

"I am convinced that we will once again demonstrate our resolve and capabilities to further enhance and promote peace, stability, security, and prosperity in the region for the benefit of our peoples," he added.

"That's what 'Let's Act Together' is all about." Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam are all members of ASEAN, which was founded in 1967.

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