WASHINGTON AND SYDNEY, United States — The aluminum industries within the six member countries of the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate have pledged to work together to achieve the partnership's objectives.

Aluminum industry representatives attending the AP6 Ministerial Meeting yesterday announced the development of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for voluntary action in the areas of cleaner air, energy conservation, recycled materials and improved industrial efficiencies. The MoU will be formally signed at an industry meeting scheduled for Beijing in early May 2006.

U.S. Aluminum Association representative Steven J. Demetriou, chairman and CEO of Aleris International, said, "Aluminum is an industry sector that can make practical, measurable contributions to clean economic development and the reduction of greenhouse gases. We are committed to harnessing the advantages of aluminum to achieve economic and social progress as well as measurable improvement in environmental quality.

"Aluminum contributes to a sustainable future when used efficiently. Recycled aluminum, for example, saves up to 95 percent of the energy required for virgin material. Other efficiencies include energy conservation from lighter-weight aluminum-constructed consumer vehicles, and fully recyclable buildings and packaging," Demetriou said.

Australian Aluminum Council president Wayne Osborn, managing director of Alcoa World Alumina Australia, said, "The aluminum industry welcomes the Asia-Pacific Partnership initiative and its objectives. We are focused on realizing efficiency, technical and process management improvements across the sector."

Rio Tinto Aluminum chief executive Oscar Groeneveld said, "The Asia-Pacific Partnership fits very well with the aluminum industry's global sustainability initiative and this industry accord is designed to further that broad, co-operative approach, based on sustainable development principles, which maintains economic growth while addressing key environmental issues such as climate change."

The Asia-Pacific Partnership meeting brought together minister-level government and private sector officials from Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea and the United States. Ministers received input from industry representatives on sustainable energy issues and technology development and deployment, and how industry and government can capture opportunities that meet the Partnership objectives.

"The governments and private sectors of the APP countries have the historic opportunity to leverage the ingenuity of the private sector, the power of markets and the strength of the public sector to achieve a more secure energy future, a cleaner environment and greater prosperity in our own countries and around the world," Secretary Bodman said. "The real strength of the APP is the private sector's participation and the chance for them to show leadership on these critical issues. I look forward to working with the six partner nations and the industry representatives to help the private sector succeed."