Saturday, February 11 2006 12:50 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Washington: Hailing the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate as an initiative that enhances energy security and reducing greenhouse gases, United States said it had joined the group including India to take real action to achieve climate objectives.

During a meeting with the top envoys of group countries - India, China, Australia, Japan and South Korea - US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said President George W Bush is proposing USD 52 million in this year's Budget to 'strongly support' the initiative in the years to come.

Rice said her country was committed to developing cleaner and more secure sources of energy as "it is essential for powering our nation's economy and for preserving our environment."

"The Asia-Pacific Partnership is an important part of this commitment. The United States has joined with India, Australia, China, Japan and South Korea to take real action to achieve our shared development and climate objectives. Through our partnership we seek to move beyond divisive politics and to advance common purposes. Everyone has something to contribute," Rice said.

Rice added "everyone stands to gain. And together we represent a powerful force for positive change." The First Ministerial meeting of the Asia-Pacific Partnership took place in Sydney in January with participants agreeing to a Partnership Communique, Charter and Work Plan that established eight public-private sector Task Forces.

The Partner countries will be meeting again in April to begin drafting a detailed action plan for each Task Force.