The first forestry ministerial meeting of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economies will be held on sustainable growth from Tuesday to Thursday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said on Monday.

The ministers and other high-ranking officials will gather in Beijing to discuss how sustainable forestry development can boost economic and social development in the Asia-Pacific region, Jiang said.

The Chinese side hopes that the meeting will help advance regional cooperation on forestry as well as the sustainable development of forestry to better people's livelihoods in the region, she said.

A "Beijing Forestry Declaration" is expected to be published at the meeting, according to the spokesperson.