SYDNEY - Asia Pacific officials began their annual meetings here Sunday under a tight security clampdown to discuss a wide range of issues from breaking down trade barriers to climate change.
Senior officials from the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) grouping kicked off the week-long gathering that will also involve trade and foreign ministers and culminate in a leaders' summit on September 8 and 9.
A massive steel and concrete wall, dubbed the ring of steel by media, has been erected around Australia's largest city as Sydney stepped up its preparations with an unprecedented show of security.
Discussions are expected to focus on reviving the stalled Doha Round of global trade talks as well as on a US-backed initiative to study the prospects for a massive trans-Pacific free trade zone stretching from China to Chile.
World Trade Organisation Director General Pascal Lamy is expected to attend the meetings.
APEC leaders are also expected to sign a pact urging an "aspirational goal" of improving energy efficiency by 25 percent by 2030 but without binding targets as part of an environment agenda.
APEC, formed in 1989, comprises Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, United States and Vietnam.
APEC economies account for 56 percent of global gross domestic product, more than one-third of the world's population and more than 40 percent of world trade.
09/02/2007 00:53 GMT