Singapore - Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong today defended multilateralism to boost growth and stability in the region by inaugurating the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit.

The ruling host of the meeting assured that the bloc will work with its external partners to face the challenges before an interdependent and interconnected world.

In that sense, Lee referred to the joint strength of the organization - made up of Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines - in a climate of international uncertainty.

In a scenario marked by commercial tensions between the United States and China, the Lee asked to integrate more regional economies.

'We are determined to maintain a regional architecture that is open, inclusive and focused on Asia,' he said.

Similarly, the president of Singapore listed other challenges that lie ahead, such as the interruption of digital technology, terrorism and climate change.

He also predicted a 'bright future' for ASEAN, which as a whole may become the fourth largest economy in the world by 2030.

This is the thirty-third summit of the Asian organization, which will last until next Thursday, when Singapore hands over to Thailand the presidency of the bloc to exercise it next year.

The prime ministers and presidents of the ASEAN will meet on Wednesday and Thursday with representatives of partner countries such as the United States, China, Russia, Japan and South Korea, among others.

At the meetings this week in Singapore will also be the Prime Ministers of Canada, Justin Trudeau; from Australia, Scott Morrison. From India, Narendra Modi; as well as the Chilean president, Sebastián Piñera, and the director of the International Monetary Fund, Christine Lagarde are also included among the participants.

The United States will be represented by Vice President Mike Pence, who will also participate in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Papua New Guinea next weekend.