The first-ever ministerial meeting on food security of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) was kicked off today in the Japanese port city of Nigata.Ministers from the APEC member countries started talks on issues, including the sustainable development of agriculture to ensure long-term food security.Japanese minister of Agriculture, Foresty and Fisheries, Michihiko Kano said at the opening ceremony that increasing the availability of food was necessary not only for APEC region but also for the food security in the world. An action plan aimed at preventing food shortages is set to be drawn up in the two-day meeting along with adeclaration.