DAP: The breaking news in Cambodia

PHNOM PENH, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- The prestige of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has been moving higher in the international arena over the past 45 years, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, the chair of ASEAN in 2012, said Wednesday.

"After 45 years of its inception, now ASEAN has closely integrated in politics and economics and is an influential institution in Asia," he said at the reception on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of ASEAN Day. "Also, the bloc has become a key and strategic partner for large countries and major international organizations."

However, the premier said ASEAN is still facing a lot of challenges on its way towards building a community by 2015.

"To break through those challenges, ASEAN needs more unification and further joint efforts to work towards a community under the theme: One Community, One Destiny," he stressed.

The reception was attended by some 120 Cambodian senior officials, foreign diplomatic corps, and development partners.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, Secretary General of the ASEAN, said ASEAN's role is more important internationally and the bloc has closely connected with entire global community including both dialogue partners and non-dialogue partners.

"To maintain ASEAN's central role, ASEAN needs to continue to advance with the spirit of unity and solidarity towards building an ASEAN Community by 2015," he said.

Founded on Aug. 8, 1967, the regional bloc groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.