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Foreign Ministers and Trade Ministers from Apec countries at the summit in Singapore - Source: Reuters -
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APEC leaders have promised to reject protectionism and seek a more balanced approach to growth in the wake of the financial crisis, but they have resisted committing to targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) leaders omitted an emissions target in their joint statement after an earlier draft communique reportedly included a commitment to halving greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by 2050.
In a statement that points to the difficult task of reaching agreement at a climate change conference next month, leaders promised only to "reaffirm our commitment to tackle the threat of climate change and work towards an ambitious outcome in Copenhagen".
And, at a breakfast co-hosted by Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on Sunday, there was a growing belief that Copenhagen was unlikely to be able to deliver legally binding targets to cut emissions.
Rudd told reporters leaders needed to step in and demonstrate political will to get agreement at Copenhagen.
"There are only two choices here: action or inaction. There's no middle path, and it's our responsibility as leaders to act," he told reporters.
"I believe there is a common resolve to get a robust agreement in Copenhagen. There is always argy-bargy on the way through, and that applies to climate change as well."
APEC provided more joy for Australia on the trade front.
In their statement, leaders agreed to "reject protectionism and keep our markets open and free".
It backed a conclusion to the long-running Doha round of world trade talks by 2010.
"It is important that the high-level political commitment to concluding the Doha round translates into substantive progress in the negotiations," the statement said.
They committed to using "pragmaticism and all possible flexibility" to get the Doha deal done but, if it fails, the region is also considering a Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific (FTAAP).
The possibility of eventually establishing an FTAAP agreement could have improved after the US indicated it was keen to get involved in the little-known Trans-Pacific Partnership, which may become a building block to a wider regional agreement.
Australia is planning to sign up to the TPP and will host the first negotiating round next year.
"The TPP ..., as a long-term stepping stone to where we might all go in terms of a free trade agreement for Asia and the Pacific, is a step in the right direction," Rudd said.
Leaders also agreed to look towards a more sustainable model for growth as the world comes of the financial crisis.
"We cannot go back to growth as usual," the statement said.
Next year APEC will put in place a long-term growth strategy that supports balance, inclusiveness, sustainability and exploits the potential of innovation and a knowledge-based economy.
Rudd flies home from APEC on Sunday night.
