The agreement by a third of the world’s population to throw their weight for an operationally binding climate deal to be reached in Copenhagen next month has been welcomed by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi.
“The fact that 50 heads of states from three continents agreed on the position to be taken is very significant,” Dr Gonzi said.
Leaders of the 53-nation Commonwealth meeting in Trinidad and Tobago used the summit to bolster a diplomatic offensive seeking wide consensus on how to fight global warming before UN climate talks in the Danish capital.
The Commonwealth Climate Change Declaration pledged the group's backing for Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen in his efforts to secure wide attendance and commitment from world leaders at the Copenhagen climate talks.
"We pledge our continued support to the leaders-driven process ... to deliver a comprehensive, substantial and operationally binding agreement in Copenhagen leading towards a full legally binding outcome no later than 2010," the Port of Spain declaration said.
Tackling the thorny issue of funding for poor nations' efforts to fight climate change and global warming, developed countries in the Commonwealth led by Britain backed an initiative to establish a Copenhagen Launch Fund, starting in 2010 and building to $10 billion annually by 2012.
The deal the United Nations is aiming for in Copenhagen would cover tougher emissions targets, climate financing for poorer nations and transfer of clean-energy technology.
The climate treaty, expected to be adopted as a final text next year, will replace the Kyoto Protocol expiring in 2012.
Commonwealth leaders suggested that 10 percent of the proposed $10 billion-a-year Copenhagen Launch Fund should be channeled to small island states most at risk from rising sea levels caused by global warming.
Other topics discussed the Commonwealth meeting, which ends today, are the financial crisis and young people.
Governments, Dr Gonzi said, agreed on a clear declaration for youth policy to be integrated in other decisions taken.