The Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders' summit began Tuesday with Cambodia's Prime Minister declaring himself optimistic about the challenges facing the region. "I believe ASEAN will be able to forge a regional consensus on the resolution of outstanding issues," Hun Sen said, adding that four decades of experience had given the group "adequate ability to strengthen stability and security." Cambodia is the current chair of the 10-member group, according to a report of DPA. In his opening address Hun Sen also called on ASEAN to support the Phnom Penh Agenda, a list of action points in seven key areas including climate change, food security, migrant labor, infrastructure improvements, and financial stability. The 10-member group recently agreed to double the size of a regional liquidity fund to $240 billion. Hun Sen said members must prioritize ASEAN's drive towards a single economic community by 2015, and warned that the world's fragile economic situation presented "a great threat." The ASEAN nations are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. The summit is scheduled to conclude Wednesday.
