APEC Leaders Commit to Conclude Doha Talks
Asia-Pacific leaders on Sunday concluded their summit in Singapore issuing a final statement pledging to wrap up the Doha Round of global trade talks in 2010, but removed targets for carbon emissions cuts.
While declaring climate change as one of the biggest global challenges, the 21-member grouping dropped a target to cut greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2050.
The APEC leaders also rejected all forms of protectionism and said they would endeavor to conclude the Doha Round of trade talks next year. The talks have been caught in a stalemate with both developing and developed nations digging in their feet over cuts in farm subsidies and tariffs.
The declaration Sunday also said the 21 member economies will maintain stimulus policies until a durable global economic recovery has clearly taken hold.
US President Barack Obama meets his Russian counterpart – Dmitri Medvedev on the margins of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit on Sunday.
The two leaders are expected to discuss Iran’s nuclear program and Afghanistan.
Obama has announced that the US state of Hawaii will host the APEC summit in 2011.
President Obama’s schedule Sunday includes meeting with the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, with Burma among the key topics.
