Asean agrees to push use of biofuels
Cebu (Philippines): Asian and Pacific leaders signed an agreement on Monday to help reduce their dependence on conventional sources of energy and promote biofuels. The Cebu Declaration on East Asian Energy Security was signed by leaders from Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, India, Japan, China and South Korea after a three-hour summit in the central Philippine city of Cebu. The agreement lists a set of goals for “reliable, adequate and affordable” energy supplies essential for sustaining economic growth and competitiveness. The East Asia conclave came two days after Asean completed its annual summit in Cebu, vowing to strengthen political solidarity, fight terrorism and create a free trade zone by 2015. The Asean leaders and their counterparts from six Asian economic powerhouses also pledged to pursue investments in regional infrastructure through greater private sector involvement. The declaration calls for moves to improve energy efficiency and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.