Ministers from countries in Asia and the Pacific Region began a three-day meeting on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) at the Jakarta Convention Center Wednesday.

Opened by Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the meeting is aimed at "formulating a joint strategy to attain the MDGs' purpose to be conveyed to the UN General Assembly this September."

The organizers said the meeting was attended by delegates from 40 countries, 15 of which sent their ministers.

The host country was represented by four ministers, namely Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda, Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Alwi Shihab, State Minister for Development Planning Sri Mulyani and Trade Minister Mari Pangestu.

(Xinhua News Agency August 3, 2005)