BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- In this increasingly interconnected world, all of ASEAN's external partners including dialogue, sectoral dialogue and development Partners play an important role in contributing to ASEAN's development, Brunei's Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah said on Thursday.

"We deeply value their continued support of ASEAN's unity and centrality," the monarch said in his message to mark the ASEAN Day which falls on Thursday.

"At the same time, cooperation under ASEAN Plus Three, the East Asia Summit and the ASEAN Regional Forum have strengthened the foundations for peace, security and prosperity in Southeast Asia and beyond," he added.

The monarch said that Brunei fully supports Thailand and its work as ASEAN chair in 2019 under the theme "Advancing Partnership for Sustainability" and "Brunei looks forward to continuing working with all ASEAN members and external partners throughout the year as well as in the coming years."