The United States will host a meeting of major economies in late April to pave the way for an international agreement on climate change and energy later in the year, the White House has announced.

The leaders of 17 major economies – including China and the UK – will gather April 27-28  in Washington, DC to discuss issues such as emission targets, technology funding, deforestation, trade tariffs and other issues related to curbing greenhouse gas emissions.

“The Major Economies Forum will facilitate a candid dialogue among key developed and developing countries, help generate the political leadership necessary to achieve a successful outcome at the UN climate change negotiations,” the White House said in a statement released on March 28.

The meeting is seen as a way to create political momentum for an agreement to be reached at the United Nations climate change negotiations in Copenhagen in December. It will “advance the exploration of concrete initiatives and joint ventures that increase the supply of clean energy while cutting greenhouse gas emissions,” the White House said.