'We would like to engage in a dialogue with our developed country partners on an equal footing,' he added.

'We recognise our obligations to preserve our environment. But climate change cannot be addressed by perpetuating the poverty of the developing countries. We need to evolve a strategy of growth that brings about a higher standard of living without harming the environment,' Manmohan Singh said.

The G5 declaration, which will now be taken up at the G8 meet here Thursday, 'reflects many of the concerns and priorities of the developing countries', the prime minister said.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said: 'We cannot discuss issues like food security and climate change without keeping the economic crisis in mind. The developing countries have suffered the most because of these issues.'

His South African counterpart Jacob Zuma added that the world is confronted by multiple crises and the G8-G5 meet should collectively find solutions to these challenges.