Leaders of 16 Asian countries, including major polluters China and Japan, came to an agreement on climate change during a meeting in Singapore. The pact, signed by leaders of the East Asia Summit (EAS), aims to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the long term. Despite lacking specific targets on reducing emissions, the agreement will serve as a foundation for climate change discussions at an upcoming UN conference in Bali. The EAS countries also agreed that all nations should contribute to addressing climate change, taking into account their individual responsibilities and capabilities. Singapore's Prime Minister explained that the agreement is a statement of intent rather than a binding treaty with specific restrictions. Australia believes that the agreement will facilitate negotiations for a successor to the Kyoto Protocol, which aims to limit greenhouse gas emissions. The United Nations is optimistic that the Bali meeting will mark the beginning of discussions over a new global framework to combat climate change, spanning over two years. Australia's Foreign Minister Alexander Downer noted a shift in China and India's stance on emissions stabilization, with both countries acknowledging the need for action. Despite their refusal to commit to specific targets, China and India are calling for developed nations to lead the way in reducing emissions and financing cleaner energy technology. Downer expressed some skepticism about the situation, but acknowledged the limitations of the circumstances. Emmanuel Fages, a carbon analyst at French bank Societe Generale, stated that countries like China and India are not yet prepared to take the same approach as Japan. He emphasized that Asia is not uniform. The only specific target in the climate agreement was related to increasing forest cover. The group agreed to strive for an EAS-wide goal of expanding forest area by at least 15 million hectares by 2020. The focus on climate change and trade was overshadowed by concerns about Myanmar's lack of democracy during ASEAN's 40th anniversary celebrations. Myanmar's behavior was a point of contention as the group adopted a legal charter. The Philippines stood out from other Association of South East Asian Nations members by asking for the prompt release of detained Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Philippines President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo expressed strong disapproval of Suu Kyi's treatment and demanded her immediate release. Arroyo also warned that the Philippine Congress may not approve the charter unless Myanmar demonstrates a commitment to democracy and frees Suu Kyi. The charter, which establishes ASEAN's legal identity and upholds democratic principles and human rights, must be ratified within 12 months after being signed on Tuesday. Singapore's Lee emphasized that all countries must ratify it for it to take effect. He also noted that Western sanctions imposed on Myanmar have been ineffective as the regime has opted to isolate itself from the international community. Lee expressed that refusing to do business in Myanmar has had no impact on the regime.