SIEM REAP, Cambodia, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- The 27th Annual Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF-27) kicked off in Cambodia's Siem Reap province Tuesday, focusing talks on politics, security, economy, trade issues and cultural cooperation.

Under the theme of Strengthening Parliamentary Partnership for Peace, Security and Sustainable Development, the forum brought together more than 200 parliamentary delegates from 21 countries including Australia, Russia, China, Japan, Canada, Chile, Singapore, South Korea, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and Laos.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Cambodian National Assembly's President Samdech Heng Samrin said the APPF-27 would offer opportunities for the participants to identify and discuss matters of common concern and to highlight them in a global context.

"The APPF also provides opportunities for parliamentarians of the Asia-Pacific region to examine the political, social, and cultural developments resulting from economic growth and integration," he said. "I believe that the forum will contribute further to enhancing peace, security and development in the Asia-Pacific region."

Addressing the ceremony, Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen said the Asia-Pacific region and the world are confronting issues such as trade war, war, terrorism, cross-border smuggling, climate change, natural disasters, food insecurity and poverty.

"These issues are posing threats to the security and sustainable development of the world," he said.

Hun Sen said the forum would offer a good opportunity to the participants to discuss political, social and economic issues, as well as global challenges in order to seek ways to achieve peace and sustainable development for all.

A day before the opening ceremony, the Meeting of Women Parliamentarians of APPF-27 was held here, discussing ways to promote gender equality and empowerment of women and girls for sustainable development and shared prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.