PHNOM PENH / BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN - Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sok Chenda Sophea said on Thursday that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations stands as a model of regional cooperation and solidarity on the international stage.

"Together, we've built a thriving community that champions shared values and mutual interests while addressing common challenges," he said in a message on the 57th ASEAN anniversary.

"One of our key strengths is our commitment to solidarity among members," he said. "Through dialogue, diplomacy, and mutual respect, ASEAN member states have worked hand-in-hand to create a harmonious environment for stability, economic growth, and social development."

READ MORE: ASEAN countries discuss strategies to scale up HIV services

Chenda Sophea said for almost six decades, ASEAN has worked diligently to make sure that its centrality and unity are preserved and strengthened.

"Centrality is the driving force behind our substantive dialogue and cooperation with external partners to maintain peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia," he said.

"It reflects the ASEAN commitment to a region that's economically vibrant, socially just, and culturally interconnected."

He added that unity in diversity is another strength that contributes to the bloc's resilience. "We are proud of our remarkable diversity of cultures, traditions, languages, and histories, a source of strength and creativity for our region," he said.

He said Cambodia has been a steadfast member of ASEAN since 1999, contributing significantly to regional cooperation and integration.

READ MORE: ASEAN foreign ministers reaffirm community vision, centrality

"We've helped nurture its values and guiding principles including independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-interference, consensus-based decision making, and peaceful settlement of disputes," he said.

"These principles promote a region that flourishes with peace and opportunity." Chenda Sophea said Cambodia will continue to uphold and promote ASEAN unity, centrality and solidarity to address common challenges and enhance its contribution to regional and global peace, stability, security, and sustainable development.

"Together, we can bring about peace, stability, and prosperity in the region for our peoples' well-being," he said. ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

READ MORE: Cambodia urges full, effective utilization of RCEP, ASEAN FTAs

Remarkable resilience

Brunei's Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah praised the collective achievement of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on Thursday. 

The Sultan said "Over the past five decades, ASEAN has demonstrated remarkable resilience, adapting to numerous challenges while steadfastly committing to regional progress."

The Sultan emphasized that "Brunei Darussalam stands ready to work closely with other member states to ensure that we can together build a resilient, innovative, dynamic, and people-centered ASEAN."