Deputy Prime Minister Sar Kheng yesterday called for increased coordination among the member states of ASEAN to combat illegal immigration and transnational crime in the region, as delegates from the regional body came together in Phnom Penh.

During his opening speech at the 19th ASEAN Directors-General of Immigration Department and Heads of Consular Affairs Division of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Kheng told about 100 immigration officials from the bloc’s 10 countries that such collaboration was key to future harmony.

“Strengthening immigration affairs in the region is needed to curb human smuggling and document fraud, and promote peace both inside the region and outside,” he said.

Kheng also called on the nations to address new technologies that facilitated crime.

Sok Phal, chief of Cambodia’s General Department of Immigration, yesterday echoed Kheng’s words, saying regional cooperation over immigration affairs and counter-human trafficking was crucial to building prosperity among ASEAN countries.