APEC Ministerial Meeting Fails To Reach Conclusion On Climate Change

[Jai Dee]

APEC ministerial meeting fails to reach conclusion on climate change

This year's ministerial meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in Sydney where Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont had attended, did not reach a conclusion concerning climate change.

The ministerial meeting yesterday resolved to push for multilateral trade negotiations by the World Trade Organization (WTO) and economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.

Director-General of the Department of International Economic Affairs, Virachai Plasai (วีระชัย พลาศรัย), reveals that the meeting had different opinions concerning climate change and failed to reach conclusions on the matter, especially in terms of energy utilization efficiency. The meeting therefore agreed to leave the matter to the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting scheduled on September 8th- 9th in Sydney.

The premier’s itinerary in Australia includes bilateral meetings with other APEC leaders. He will also explain to them about Thailand’s political situation and direction and assure them that the general election will be arranged at the end of this year.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 07 September 2007