PHNOM PENH, Nov. 11 (FN) -- Cambodia's royalist party Funcinpec held an extraordinary congress on Friday to design strategy to increase its popularity ahead of two major elections in 2017 and 2018.

The congress was attended by some 1,000 party members and activists from across the kingdom.

Funcinpec Party's President Prince Norodom Ranariddh said the congress is aimed at encouraging the party members and activists to work harder to increase the party's popularity ahead of the upcoming elections.

"Also, the congress is vital to setting out strategy to compete in the 2017 commune election and the 2018 general election," he said.

The 72-year-old prince also called on all the royalists and the Sihanoukists to reunite for the prosperity of the monarchy regime.

Ranariddh, a son of late revered King Norodom Sihanouk, led Funcinpec to victory in the UN-run elections in 1993. He was former co-prime minister from 1993 to 1997, and ex-president of the National Assembly from 1998 to 2006. Currently, he is the head of the Supreme Privy Council to King Norodom Sihamoni, his half-brother.

Founded in 1981 by Sihanouk, Funcinpec was once the country's largest political party, but its popularity has gradually diminished due to internal rifts and the party failed to win a single seat in the 2013 general election.