SYDNEY -- Leaders of the 21 member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) wrapped up their annual meeting here Sunday afternoon, agreeing to further promote trade and improve energy efficiency for the region's sustainable development.
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APEC leaders and representatives pose for a family photo on the final day of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders meeting at the Sydney Opera House September 9, 2007. [Reuters]
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Australian Prime Minister, the host, declared at a ceremony the concluding of the two-day meeting, where the leaders had held discussions under the theme of "Strengthening our community, building a sustainable future."
During their gathering, the APEC leaders issued a Sydney Declaration on Climate Change, Energy Security and Clean Development, setting specific goals on reducing energy intensity and increasing forest cover.
According to the declaration, the leaders decided to improve the region's energy efficiency by at least 25 percent by 2030 from the 2005 level, increase forest cover in the region by at least 20 million hectares by 2020, and establish an Asia-Pacific Network for Energy Technology (APNet) to strengthen collaboration on energy research in the region, particularly in areas such as clean fossil energy and renewable energy sources.
