(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-08-31 10:05

CANBERRA -- Australian Prime Minister John Howard on Monday outlined four key objectives for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders' meeting, during which climate change will prominently feature.

Howard was addressing business leaders in Sydney, where the summit will be held on September 8-9.

The prime minister said he hoped substantial progress could be made towards developing what he described as a truly international framework for tackling climate change.

"The key task in Sydney is to give political direction to the shape of a future framework for climate change action that is truly global," he was quoted by Australian Broadcasting Corporation radio as saying.

Howard said he wanted leaders to work towards developing an Asia-Pacific free trade area and tackle regional security.

He also hopes to enhance Australia's relations with Russia, China, Canada and the United States.

Meanwhile, Australian Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd said APEC as an institution has little future if it fails to take action on climate change.

He is calling on leaders at the summit to agree on the need to set concrete targets for greenhouse gas emissions.