The 24th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Climate Outlook Forum was convened in Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia, on Thursday, with a focus on heatwaves and public health.

The forum was attended by climate experts from ASEAN member states and representatives from the World Meteorological Organization, ASEAN Specialized Meteorological Center, and Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System, among others.

Speaking at the forum's opening ceremony, Cambodian Minister of Water Resources and Meteorology Thor Chetha said ASEAN has emerged as a hotspot for the impacts brought on by the changing climate such as floods, droughts, and heatwaves.

He highlighted the importance of climate research and study as well as the determination of root causes of natural phenomena in order to deal with the dangers of climate change in the long term.

"It's necessary that countries in the region cooperate with each other in the exchanges of data, technology and knowledge in order to address climate challenges," he said.

"Regional cooperation will enable more accurate predictions, better understanding of climate change, and appropriate responses to natural phenomena, both now and in the future," he added.

Chetha said climate change is a major concern and is directly related to urban development, economic growth and social progress, and it has disrupted and hindered multi-sectoral development efforts.

He is confident that the forum's outcomes will be useful for all stakeholders to develop practical strategic plans to combat, mitigate, and adapt to climate change.

ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.