Cha-am, Thailand  - Greenpeace activists on Friday urged South-East Asian leaders to put global warming on the agenda of a summit being held this weekend in Thailand when discussing the region's efforts to deal with the global economic crisis.

Activists unfurled a banner reading, "Ten Nations - One Vision, Climate Action Now," on the back of a billboard across the street from the hotel in Cha-am, 130 kilometres south-west of Bangkok, where the 14th summit of the 10-nation Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) is being held.

"We urge ASEAN member states to use stimulus packages to prioritize and support green investments which help put South-East Asian economies on a low carbon-growth pathway instead of maintaining and carrying on with investments which propagate climate-changing emissions and contribute to global insecurity," Greenpeace South-East Asia executive director Von Hernandez said in a letter to ASEAN leaders.

The environmental group noted that South-East Asia was among the most vulnerable and least prepared to cope with the impacts of global warming.

"Greenpeace is calling on your excellencies to represent the interests of South-East Asian communities and future generations by pushing the international community to take immediate responsibility and help avert climate catastrophe," Hernandez said.

The ASEAN leaders are to meet Saturday and Sunday to discuss regional issues, including the global economic crisis, food security and the establishment of an ASEAN human rights body.

Under the new ASEAN charter, leaders may raise any issue for discussion at such summits.

ASEAN's members are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. (dpa)