Leaders from 38 Asian and European countries ended their two-day Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit yesterday, putting emphasis on multilateralism and climate change.

"We confirm ASEM's mission as a partnership between equals to multilateralism and a fair, just and rule-based international order with a strong UN at the core," reads a declaration on the future of ASEM adopted by the leaders.

The leaders underlined that modern challenges and threats recognize no national boundaries, are interlinked and require common solutions.

They also emphasized the importance of multilateral efforts for strengthening disarmament and the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery.

The leaders underlined multilateralism in the fight against terrorism. "They reaffirmed their commitment to the fight against terrorism, which still poses a threat to the international community, and underlined the need for a comprehensive approach," said the chairman's statement, a summary of the two day's work.

The leaders asked for dialogue among cultures and civilizations, which they believed is an essential step in addressing the root causes of terrorism and an investment toward broader security.

The leaders started their second day of work with a moment of silence to commemorate the victims of Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and of all other acts of random violence.

The second day of the summit falls on the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorism attacks which killed about 3,000 people in the United States.

The leaders emphasized the need to promote tolerance and understanding, and to overcome ignorance, misperceptions and prejudice as one way of addressing the root causes of terrorism.

They firmly condemned the use of violence in the name of religion, denouncing any stereotyping on the basis of religion and reiterating their determination to stand united in the global efforts to cultivate a culture of peace, to increase mutual respect and to build confidence amongst people of all faiths.

Security challenges, including the fight against terrorism, was a major topic at the ASEM summit.

ASEM leaders were obviously trying to strike a different note on the issue of terrorism as the American approach has sparked controversy in Europe.

U.S. President George W. Bush has for the first time confirmed the existence of secret CIA prisons overseas for suspected terrorists.

In a statement to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the Sept.11 terrorist attacks, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso did not give direct reference to Bush's admission, but indicated the European Union (EU)'s reservations on the American approach.

"Our response (to terrorism) must be to stand up for our values, namely respect for human rights, which are the surest guarantee of our future security," said the statement.

Climate change was on top of the agenda of the second day of the summit, which the leaders saw as a serious threat to sustainable development and the future of the earth.

In a declaration on climate change, the leaders sent a strong message on their commitment to this global issue.

"The global nature of climate change calls for the widest possible cooperation and participation in an effective and appropriate international response," the declaration said.

The leaders reaffirmed their determination to honor commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Kyoto Protocol.

"We will cooperate to further implement the convention and its protocol including through strengthening the capacity of and providing financial and technical assistance to ASEM developing countries," they said in the declaration.

The leaders pointed out that climate change and energy security are interrelated.

They asked for more international cooperation to promote development, transfer and deployment of low carbon technology and access by developing ASEM countries to cleaner and climate-friendly technologies.

They also called for the enhancement of energy efficiency and more use of new and renewable energy.

On globalization, the leaders exchanged views on how to manage the rapid transformation and structural change of their countries' economies while recognizing the need to tackle the challenges of globalization and to extend its benefits to all.

The leaders expressed "deep regret" about the suspension of the Doha Round global trade talks under the World Trade Organization (WTO).

They called on all parties to the negotiations to show the necessary political will and flexibility to allow the negotiations to resume as soon as possible. They emphasized the importance of achieving an ambitious and balanced outcome resulting in new commercial opportunities and improvement of existing global trade rules, while taking into account the needs and interests of developing and least developed countries.

The leaders underlined the importance of flanking such an agreement with appropriate measures aimed at further integrating developing and least developed countries in global trade.

The leaders cautioned that regional trade agreements should support and further the objectives of the multilateral trading system.

They also discussed regional issues ranging from the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula and Iran, as well as the situation in the Middle East, in particular Lebanon and Iraq.

Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen, who chaired the meeting, hailed the gathering as "historic."

"Ten years of dialogue and cooperation provide us with a very solid foundation and allow us to set clear guidelines for the future," said Vanhanen in his closing speech.

This year's meeting marks the 10th anniversary of ASEM.

He urged partners to keep up work to reinforce the partnership.

He welcomed the inclusion of India, Pakistan, Mongolia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretariat in ASEMon the Asian side.

Romania and Bulgaria, which are set to join the EU in 2007 or 2008, were also accepted as new members.

The summit was attended by leaders of the 25 EU member states and 13 Asian countries -- the 10 ASEAN members and China, South Korea and Japan. Barroso attended the meeting on behalf of the European Commission, the EU executive body.