Special report: Premier Wen attends int'l meetings, visits Singapore
    SINGAPORE, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) took a leap forward here Tuesday towards greater engagement in environmental sustainability by signing ASEAN Declaration on Environmental Sustainability.

    Leaders from the ten-member bloc signed the declaration, which addresses the need to protect the environment, respond to climate change and conserve natural resources, in Shangri-La hotel at the end of the 13th ASEAN summit.

    "ASEAN should complement and support the efforts of global and regional organizations to tackle environment issues, and in this regard support the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders' Declaration on Climate Change, Energy Security and Clean Development," the declaration said.

    The leaders have recognized the importance of sustainable forest management in ASEAN, the partnership of the world community in combating land degradation, and the importance of protecting the natural resource base for economic and social development, said the declaration.

    The ASEAN member countries decide to take measures on three aspects including environmental protection and management, responding to climate change, and conservation of natural resources.

    On environmental protection and management issue, the group will intensify regional and international cooperation in promoting and implementing environmentally sustainable practices for "a clean and green ASEAN."

    It will also intensify individual and collective efforts to improve the quality of air and water within ASEAN.

    In the declaration, ASEAN leaders declare to reduce by half of the number of ASEAN people without sustainable access to safe drinking water by 2010, and to improve the lives of slum dwellers by 2020 in ASEAN member countries.

    As to climate change in the world, ASEAN countries will enhance cooperation on joint research, development and deployment of low emission technologies for the cleaner use of fossil fuels, the declaration said.

    They will take concrete measures to promote the use of renewable and alternative energy sources such as solar, hydro, wind, tide, biomass, biofuels and geothermal energy, and for interested parties, civilian nuclear power.

    Talking about conservation of natural resources, the ASEAN leaders plan to achieve a significant reduction in the current rate of loss of biodiversity by 2010.

    They also agree to promote conservation and sustainable management of key ecosystems, including forest, coastal, and marine habitats.

    Heads of state or government of the 10 member countries of ASEAN gathered here Tuesday for the regional grouping's 13th summit, and signed the ASEAN Charter and other documents.