The conference is focusing on setting strategies beyond 2012, when the Kyoto protocol on climate change expires.
The meeting will not call for mandatory limits on greenhouse gas emissions blamed for global warming. President Bush is against setting such limits and opposes the Kyoto protocol, which sets mandatory emissions cuts.
The conference comes days after the United Nations held a climate change meeting attended by representatives of 150 countries. President Bush did not attend.
Mr. Bush is to address the Washington climate meeting Friday. - VOA News
