Leaders of the 21-member Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) forum have called for a speedy resolution to the stalled Doha round of trade talks.

 John Howard, Australia's prime minister, said that Sunday's call was part of the final declaration at the end of a two-day meeting of Apec leaders in Sydney.

The declaration included a "statement of very strong support for the Doha round and an urgent request for all countries involved in the Doha process to renew their efforts to achieve an outcome, emphasising that agriculture and industrial products are the two priority areas", Howard said.

The leaders also agreed to strengthen regional economic integration and further explore the possibility of a free trade area for the Asia-Pacific.

They would also take measures to improve the business environment and human security, he added.

George Bush, the US president, attended the meeting but left a day early to prepare for a report on Iraq.

Cutting carbon emissions

In a separate statement on trade, Apec leaders were expected to pledge "the political will, flexibility and ambition to ensure that the Doha round negotiations enter their final phase this year".

Apec leaders earlier agreed to adopt a "long-term aspirational goal" to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The declaration is seen as a compromise between rich and poor Apec economies, which together account for around 60 per cent of the world's economy.

Analysts say the significance of the new resolution is getting the United States and China - the world's biggest polluters - to agree to common goals.

The Apec program may sway upcoming talks in Washington, New York and Indonesia on a new climate change blueprint to replace Kyoto, which expires in 2012.

PHOTO CAPTION

Apec economic leaders hold talks in Sydney