Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, chair of ASEAN in 2012, left on Sunday morning for Laos' capital Vientiane to attend the 9th Asia-Europe Meeting Summit (ASEM-9) to be held on Nov. 5-6.

Senior government officials accompanying the premier include Ho Sithy and Prak Sokhonn, ministers attached to the Prime Minister, Sok Chenda Sophea, secretary general of the Council for the Development of Cambodia, and Sok Siphanna, advisor to the Government, Srey Thamrong, a minister attached to the Prime Minister, told reporters at the Phnom Penh International Airport before departure.

The ASEM Summit is an international forum focused on Asia-Euro dialogue in the fields of security, economy, education and culture and environment, he said, adding that the ASEM-9 will be held under the theme: "Friends for Peace, Partners for Prosperity".

"The Summit is an important opportunity for Asia-Euro leaders to discuss regional and international issues, especially on food and energy security, sustainable development, economic and financial crisis, climate change, and natural disaster response," he said.

The Asia-Euro forum was established in 1996 in Bangkok, Thailand. At the start, there were only 26 member states. To date, the number of members has increased to 48 countries, he said, adding that the forthcoming ASEM-9 will welcome 3 new members including Bangladesh, Norway and Switzerland.

According to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Summit will adopt the Vientiane declaration on strengthening partnership for peace and development and will issue a chairman's statement.

On the sidelines of the Summit, Hun Sen will hold separate bilateral talks with Julia Gillard, Prime Minister of Australia, and Yoshihiko Noda, Prime Minister of Japan, the press release said.