The leaders of 16 Asian countries, including major polluters China and Japan, reached an agreement on climate change during a meeting in Singapore. The pact, signed by the East Asia Summit (EAS) leaders, aims to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the long term but does not set specific targets for reducing emissions. Instead, it will be used as a foundation for discussions at an upcoming UN meeting in Bali. The EAS countries also emphasized the importance of all nations playing a role in addressing climate change based on their individual capabilities. Singapore's Prime Minister explained that the agreement is a statement of intent, not a binding treaty with specific restrictions. Australia believes that the agreement will facilitate negotiations for a new climate change framework to replace the Kyoto Protocol. The United Nations is aiming for the Bali meeting to mark the beginning of discussions over the next two years. Australia's Foreign Minister noted a shift in China and India's stance on stabilizing emissions. China and India, major carbon dioxide emitters, have previously opposed fixed targets and are calling for wealthier nations to lead emission reduction efforts and fund cleaner energy technology. The overall outlook is not optimistic, but Australia remains hopeful for progress. Emmanuel Fages, a carbon analyst at French bank Societe Generale, stated that countries like China and India are not yet prepared to take the lead like Japan. He emphasized the diversity in Asia and mentioned that the only specific target in the climate pact was related to increasing forest cover. The group agreed to work towards increasing forest area in the region by at least 15 million hectares by 2020. The focus on climate change and trade was overshadowed by discussions on Myanmar's democratic transition during ASEAN's 40th anniversary celebrations. The Philippines stood apart from other Association of South East Asian Nations members by demanding the prompt release of detained Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo expressed strong disapproval of Suu Kyi's treatment and insisted on her immediate release. Arroyo also warned that the Philippine Congress might not approve the charter if Myanmar did not show a commitment to democracy and release Suu Kyi. The charter, which establishes ASEAN's legal identity and upholds principles of democracy 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 criticized Western sanctions on Myanmar, stating that they have been ineffective due to the regime's isolationist stance. Lee pointed out that choosing not to do business in Myanmar has had little impact on the regime.