APEC Summit: The leaders of 21 world economies have vowed to do their utmost to revive stalled world trade talks and to fight terrorism in every form.
Officials at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Hanoi issued a final declaration today (Sunday), warning of grave economic consequences if the Doha round of World Trade Organization talks fail. The talks stalled in July after a conflict over agricultural trade.
APEC leaders agreed to stand up against regional threats, including weapons of mass destruction, the possible contamination of food supplies and bird flu. Talks also focused on finding ways to remove obstacles for business and protecting copyrights.
Vietnam's president (Nguyen Minh Triet) read a separate statement condemning North Korea's October nuclear test and urged the country to uphold its commitment to stop developing nuclear weapons.
Australia –G20: The world's top finance ministers and central bankers have condemned North Korea for its recent nuclear test.
At the end of their meeting today (Sunday) in Melbourne, Australian Treasurer Peter Costello said the Group of 20 economies agreed that Pyongyang's nuclear test threatens the stability of the Korean peninsula.
U.S. Deputy Treasury Secretary Robert Kimmitt accused North Korea and Iran of abusing the global financial system to fund what he called "illicit" activities. He said G-20 members have a responsibility to stop such conduct.
A closing statement by G-20 officials calls for a quick resumption of world trade talks to deal with the threat of growing protectionism. The group said free trade is essential to achieving faster economic growth and reducing poverty.
The G-20 statement also warns that the global supply of energy is struggling to keep pace with rising demand.
US – Russia – WTO: The United States and Russia have signed a key trade agreement that moves Moscow closer to membership in the World Trade Organization after more than a decade of negotiations.
Senior U.S. and Russian trade officials signed the deal today (Sunday) on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Hanoi, Vietnam.
President Bush welcomed the trade deal as good for both countries. He made the comment after meeting his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, at the APEC summit.
Russia is the largest economy to remain outside of the W.T.O., an organization that sets the rules for global trade. Moscow has been trying to join the trade body since 1994 by seeking the approval of its 149 (current) members.
Bush – Asia: U.S. President George Bush and Chinese President Hu Jintao have warned North Korea that the world will not accept the country possessing nuclear weapons.
China's Foreign Ministry says the two leaders agree that Pyongyang "should get the message" about international opposition to its nuclear weapons program.
Mr. Bush and Mr. Hu discussed North Korea and other issues today (Sunday) on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Mr. Bush says U.S. cooperation with China can help to solve nuclear disputes involving North Korea and Iran.
The U.S. president has been trying to persuade North Korea's neighbors to take tough action against Pyongyang after it tested a nuclear bomb last month.
Listern to our World News for details.