Phnom Penh, Sep 12 (IANS): Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said on Monday that Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members must work together to address challenges to safeguard regional peace, stability and prosperity.

Cambodia is presently the ASEAN chair for 2022, reports Xinhua news agency.

"In the context where geopolitical competition is heating up, ASEAN must act as a role model and work together to ensure regional peace, stability and prosperity by strengthening ASEAN unity and centrality and strictly adhering to partnerships and multilateral mechanisms to address challenges," he said in a speech at the opening ceremony of the 2022 ASEAN Leadership and Partnership Forum.

"Furthermore, ASEAN must also play a central role and serve as a platform for dialogues and cooperation, while reinforcing an open, transparent, inclusive, and rules-based regional architecture," he added.

The Prime Minister said that as the ASEAN chair for 2022, Cambodia has worked actively in expanding and strengthening the bloc's cooperation and partnership in various forms and fields, including socio-economy, trade and investment with friendly countries, development partners and international communities.

ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.