The message came Thursday at the end of a two-day conference in Sydney that brought ministers from China, the United States, Australia, Japan, India and South Korea together with more than 100 executives from big business.

The six nations of the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate said "at the core" of their vision "is our conviction of the urgent need to pursue development and poverty eradication.

"By working together we will be better able to meet our increased energy needs and associated challenges, including those related to air pollution, energy security and greenhouse gas intensity."

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The six countries account for almost half of the world's gross domestic product, population, energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

Scientists blame greenhouse gases, produced mainly by the burning of fossil fuels such as coal and oil, for causing rising temperatures worldwide.

The group said "there would be no reduction in the use of fossil fuels. We recognized that fossil fuels underpin our economies, and will be an enduring reality for our lifetimes and beyond.

"It is therefore critical that we work together to develop, demonstrate and implement cleaner and lower emissions technologies that allow for the continued economic use of fossil fuels while addressing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions."

Australian Prime Minister John Howard told the conference "the idea that we can address climate-change matters successfully at the expense of economic growth is not only unrealistic but also unacceptable."

Critics have charged that the conference was a smokescreen designed to divert attention from the US and Australian refusal to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, which commits developed countries to reducing greenhouse gas pollution. AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE