E Asia Summit voices concern over climate change

Singapore, Nov 21 (UNI) The Third East Asia Summit today expressed grave concern over adverse impact of climate change on socio-economic development, health and enviornment and urged the international community to address the problem of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Adopting a Singapore declaration on climate change, e-energy and enviornment at the end of the third East Asia summit, which was signed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and leaders of ASEAN, China, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand, it stressed the need for ''an effective approach to the inter-related challenges of climate change, energy security and other health issues.'' It agreed to exchange scientific and technical expertise and enhance cooperation towards ''joint research and development of appropriate measures to minimise the impact of climate change''.

The declaration said that East Asian nations can work collectively to address these challanges for mutual benefit and the common good.

There is a need for a long term strategy to overcome these new problems.

It agreed to pool experiences, expertise and technology in areas such as urban planning including transportation, water management, urban greenery and urban bio-diversity conservation and waste management.

The declaration asked the member countries to enhance access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation and promote integrated water resources management through various initiatives.

It accepted Singapore's proposal to convene an EAS conference on liveable cities in June 2008 to address the inter-related issues of urbanisation, climate change and the enviornment.

UNI