Apec leaders urge speedy Doha trade deal

Asia-Pacific leaders said yesterday they saw "real progress" in world trade talks now underway in Geneva and pledged flexibility and the political will to forge a deal by the end of 2007.

The 21-member Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum (Apec) called on all nations to give the same commitment to reaching a conclusion to the drawn out Doha round of trade talks. The Asia-Pacific leaders, whose economies account for more than half of world trade, said there was an "urgent need to make progress" in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) talks.

"We pledge the political will, flexibility and ambition to ensure the Doha round negotiations enter their final phase this year. We call on our WTO partners to join in this vital effort," said the leaders' declaration after the two-day summit.

Meanwhile as Asia-Pacific leaders jetted home yesterday with yet another Apec souvenir to stuff into their "funny shirt" closet, folks back home may well ask: "So what did you get out of that meeting besides the outback raincoat?".

Host Australia shelled out A$300 million ($250 million) to accommodate the 21 leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Sydney, whose disgruntled residents were subjected to the biggest security operation in the country's history.

But leaders did come bearing gifts for Prime Minister John Howard, who is widely expected to call an election this week - a $45 billion gas export deal with China, uranium sales to Russia, top-secret military technology from the US.

Much to the chagrin of green groups, non-environmentalist Howard burnished his legacy with a "Sydney Declaration", signing up APEC members to an "aspirational target" for cutting greenhouse gases. It's voluntary and non-binding, so no worries for Apec, which includes some of the world's biggest polluters.