Bush urges cooperation on climate change at G8

Updated July 7, 2008 09:38:53

US President Bush at a media conference with Japanese PM Fukuda in Tokayo, Japan, ahead of this week's G8 summit. [Reuters]

The US President, George W Bush, says America will play a constructive role in tackling climate change but that more international co-operation is needed.

He was speaking at a media briefing in Hokkaido after talks with the Japanese Prime Minister, Yasuo Fukuda, on Sunday ahead of this week's G8 summit.

Climate change and the slowing world economy are expected to top the agenda.

Mr Bush says he will use the the summit to advance US ideas about climate change but that if China and India don't share the same apirations, the world will not be able to solve the problem.

Mr Bush and Mr Fukuda also discussed the North Korean nuclear dispute.

"One thing is for certain is that North Korea did provide a declaration of its plutonium related activities and did blow up the cooling tower of its reactor at Yongbyon," Mr Bush said at the media conference.

"That's been verified and that also is a positive step but there are more steps to be taken."

In a deal brokered in a six-nation process, North Korea agreed to disclose all its nuclear facilities and begin disablement in return for aid.

Last month President Bush removed North Korea from the US terrorism blacklist, and lifted key sanctions, in acknowledgement of Pyongyang's progress.