Tony Blair was among world leaders, celebrities and scholars who met in New York as part of former US president Bill Clinton’s Global Initiative conference.

The third Clinton Global Initiative conference in New York is expected to raise billions of pounds to help tackle the issues of global warming, poverty, health and education.

More than 10 billion dollars (£5bn) was pledged in the first two conferences, and participants were expected to pledge more this year.

Mr Blair joined celebrity couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, tennis star Andre Agassi and media mogul Rupert Murdoch on the conference's guest list this year.

Mr Blair spoke on climate change and dismissed the idea that it is impossible to grow and economy and reduce greenhouse gases.

"Once you create a framework in which it's clear there are going to be market incentives and mechanisms which make it worth their while commercially to research new technology and develop it, that is when you will really get this deal done."