Tony Blair's third way conference with world leaders has resulted in pledges on key social issues and world trade.

Concluding the progressive governance conference on Monday, the prime minister said there had been broad agreement on a range of issues from free trade to human rights.

Detailing the communique issued by all 14 leaders at the meeting, Blair attempted to draw attention from domestic concerns and praised the "remarkable" level of agreement achieved.

And he downplayed suggestions of an on-going rift over the war with Iraq.

Despite representing a range of countries with different problems the central aim of all nations was to respond to "an era of massive global and technological change".

At this time political leaders have to balance economic efficiency and a well functioning economy with social justice, he said.

The leaders, including Gerhard Schroeder of Germany and Helen Clark of New Zealand, put the need for action on free trade at the top of the agenda.

"The central importance at the Mexico meeting is to make sure that it's a successful meting that allows the developing world proper access to the markets of the developed world," said Blair.

"We believe it is profoundly in the interests of all our countries rich or poor."

There was also an agreement on a new approach to financing poor countries focusing on partnership but with reforms such as anti-corruption measures.

Other agreements contained broad pledges on tackling international crime, terrorism and human rights abuses.

To his critics Blair had a simple message: whilst reforming public services was vital, the government would not lose touch with its core constituents.

"All of us as progressive politicians accept the need to reform our public service and welfare systems but want to reform them in a way fully consistent with the values of solidarity, social justice and the protection of the poorest and weakest in our society," he said.