APEC leaders discuss food security

During the second day of a meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) group in Vladivostok, Russia, on Sunday, leaders from 21 Asia-Pacific nations discussed food security, VOA's "Breaking News" blog reports. "Russian President Vladimir Putin called food security one of the most acute problems today as he opened the final day of talks at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit," the blog writes (9/9). The leaders also discussed trade and innovative growth in the region, Xinhua notes (9/9). "During their meetings, the APEC leaders are expected to approve various initiatives, including one that will cut tariffs on environmental-related goods -- such as waste-water treatment technologies -- to five percent by 2015," the Associated Press/Washington Post writes, adding, "They also are expected to endorse measures for ensuring food security, protecting supply chains and beefing up emergency preparedness" (Berry, 9/8).