The leaders also promised to address other critical challenges such as energy security and climate change, food security, the rule of law, and the fight against terrorism, poverty and disease.

But some leaders also said it is important to turn words into deeds.

"This summit of G20 leaders and the G20 meeting of finance ministers last weekend have begun to lay a productive foundation of discussion, input, and agreement," said World Bank President Robert Zoellick in a statement released after the summit.

But "what matters now are the follow-up actions. People are looking to leaders for a global, coordinated and fast response," he said.

"But the poorest developing countries must not be left out in the cold. We will not solve this crisis, or put in place sustainable long-term solutions by accepting a two-tier world," warned the World Bank chief. "If we are going to avert a human crisis, we will have to do more."

(Xinhua News Agency November 17, 2008)