Berlin  - Germany will press both rich nations and developing countries at next week's G8 summit to agree on a new global financial order to ensure there is no repeat of the current economic crisis, Chancellor Angela Merkel said Thursday.

The leaders of the world's most powerful nations meet in the medieval Italian city of L'Aquila on July 8-10 for their annual debate on the globe's most pressing problems.

Addressing parliament on the summit, Merkel said global trade was expected to decline 16 per cent this year.

This is particularly tough on Germany, which depends on exports for 40 per cent of its gross domestic product (GDP). This year, the country's trade surplus was expected to plunge 100 billion euros (140 billion dollars), she said.

Merkel said the world's economic woes could not be resolved by industrial nations alone. Emerging economies such as India and China had to be play a role.

"It is important for us to overcome the crisis, quickly," she said.

Merkel said climate protection would also be a major topic in L'Aquila.

"Europe clearly has a leading role" in this area she said, adding she was "encouraged" by indications the US was ready to take meaningful action to control carbon dioxide emissions.

Referring to Iran, Merkel the "shocking developments" there would figure prominently in the G8 talks, along with efforts to persuade the country to stop its controversial nuclear programme.

Merkel said the summit would not forget the victims of recent clashes between security forces and people protesting the disputed presidential election outcome and "help them wherever we can."(dpa)