Heads of state from over 70 countries arrived in New York today for the start of a week-long meeting - billed as Earth Summit II - at which they are expected to reaffirm their commitment to sustainable development and agree on a new programme of action.

The EU also failed to secure political support at the Denver summit for a binding global agreement on the preservation of forests - one of its key goals for Earth Summit II. Its other chief priorities for this week's meeting are to agree on a global strategy to protect freshwater resources, and agreement on the need to aim for eco-efficiency. The EU is also expected to push for agreement - in principle at least - for a global tax on aviation fuel.

UK Prime Minister Tony Blair this evening called on other industrialised countries to commit to action on climate change. In a speech widely trailed in the UK press this morning, he emphasised that: "the biggest responsibility falls on those countries with the biggest emissions," whilst pledging more support for developing countries to take action on climate change and other global environmental problems.

Mr Blair said that the Labour government's ambitious commitment to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 20% from 1990 to 2010 would require "a new approach to transport," energy conservation measures and greater use of renewable energy.

The EU had only limited success in moving forward its priority issues. Notably, it failed to convince other developed countries to adopt near-term specific targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Its proposal for an international aviation tax also fell on stony ground.

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