HIS Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam is expected to attend the seventh Asia-Europe Meeting (Asem), which will discuss ways to tackle the ongoing global financial crisis this week.

Along with Asian and European leaders from more than 40 countries expected to attend the summit, that includes His Majesty who will be in China's capital of Beijing to hold talks on the financial turmoil and other major issues during the meeting from October 24-25.

Themed "Vision and Action: Towards a Win-Win Solution", the two-day biennial summit will also focus on expanding dialogue and cooperation between Asia and Europe on issues ranging from climate change, sustainable development, energy and food security.

His Majesty is also expected to join other Southeast Asian counterparts in an Asean meeting on the sidelines of the Asem summit, following an announcement from the regional bloc's Secretary General Dr Surin Pitsuwan recently.

Dr Surin said the Asean meeting would discuss precautionary measures to deal with the economic crisis, which threatens to push many developed nations into recession.

Governments around the world have already pledged to spend some US$3.2 trillion ($4.75 trillion) to try to resolve the global credit crisis, which started in the United States.

The Asem summit will be the largest ever gathering of 45 leaders since its second enlargement in 2006. Asem will formally admit six new members this year, including Bulgaria, India, Mongolia, Pakistan, Romania and the Asean Secretariat.

Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao will preside over the Asem meetings and a welcoming banquet, according to China's state news agency Xinhua.

Brunei is currently one of the four coordinators of Asem, along with China, European Commission and France.

Established in 1996, Asem represents half of the world's GDP, almost 60 per cent of the world's population and 60 per cent of global trade.

Asem was established as a platform for Asian and European leaders to promote understanding and enhance cooperation through dialogue, as well as create a conducive environment for a comprehensive Asia-Europe partnership.