Environment officials from Northeast Asian countries met in Ulan Bator Thursday for the first time to discuss cooperation in tackling climate change.

Representatives from China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, South Korea and Mongolia, as well as officials of Russian and Japanese embassies in Mongolia attended the meeting.

Luimed Gansukh, Mongolian minister of nature, environment and tourism, said it is of great significance for countries in the region to cooperate in addressing the challenges of climate change.

The Chinese representatives reiterated China's position on the issue, saying that China is ready to join other countries in the region to promote active and pragmatic cooperation of mutual benefit and win-win achievement to develop clean energy and enhance energy efficiency.

During the two-day meeting, participants will also discuss the preparation for the regional ministerial meeting on climate change.

(Xinhua News Agency March 6, 2009)