The 4th East Asia Summit takes place at Dusit Thani Hotel, Hua Hin, Thailand, Oct. 25.

The President emphasized East Asian regional cooperation to solve the problems of climate change, the international financial crisis, natural disasters and North Korea''s nuclear programs, at the East Asia Summit (EAS) held in Hua Hin, Thailand, on Sunday (Oct. 25).

The EAS members are 10 ASEAN countries, three East Asian countries (Korea, China, Japan), and the additional members of India, New Zealand and Australia.

President Lee said that developing countries'' voluntary greenhouse gas reductions aimed at tackling global climate change should be recognized and encouraged in the international community, and also introduced the Korean government''s emissions reduction efforts and vision of "low carbon, green growth." He then reconfirmed his will to foster regional cooperation in dealing with global climate change through such regional channels as the East Asia Climate Partnership.

Pointing out that such EAS members as Korea, China, Japan and Australia also belong to the Group of Twenty (G20), President Lee called for the EAS''s contribution to the success of the G20 Summit. He also said that Korea, as the next chair of the G20 meeting, would reflect ASEAN''s suggestions as much as possible at the venue.

The Korean President expressed concerns over the frequent occurrence of natural disasters in Southeast Asia these days and emphasized stronger regional collaboration to face those problems. He also pledged to enlarge Korea''s humanitarian assistance in a related manner.

The EAS members concurred that North Korea''s nuclear problems should be solved peacefully, and expressed support for the continuous implementation of United Nations N. Korea-related resolutions and the early resumption of the six-party talks.

Meanwhile, President Lee met regional leaders for bilateral summits on the sidelines of ASEAN-related summits.

On Saturday (Oct. 24), President Lee met with Laotian Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh and asked for the Laotian government''s support of Korean companies'' business operations in Laos. Lee also called for Laos'' contribution to the enhancement of bilateral relations between Korea and ASEAN. Prime Minister Bouphavanh expressed appreciation for Korea''s continuous support for Laos'' economic and industrial development.

On Sunday, President Lee had a summit with Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd for a fourth time this year (following meetings in March, April and July), and continued their discussions on the strengthening of the G20 meeting, tackling climate change and pursuing a "grand bargain," a North Korea strategy initiated by Lee during his September visit to New York.