Arroyo wants summit to tackle economy

MANILA – President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is calling on Asian leaders meeting in Beijing next week to convene a special session to tackle the impact of the global economic crisis.

Arroyo said Monday she is asking developing and emerging economies to unite and come up with a coordinated approach to cushion the impact of the ongoing credit crunch.

Arroyo says leaders of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations and their partners from China, Japan and South Korea could meet on the sidelines of the Oct. 24-25 Asia-Europe Meeting in Beijing.

Arroyo is urging the world's industrialized nations to consider the interest of poorer countries in their plan to prevent a global economic meltdown. source