Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer has played down reports of a rift between Australia and Malaysia over climate change talks at APEC.

The Federal Government has put global warming at the top of APEC's agenda.

But Malaysia's Trade Minister says Australia lacks the credentials to deal with the issue because it still refuses to sign the Kyoto Protocol and has accused Australia of "hijacking" the debate.

Mr Downer says Australia's climate change discussions with Malaysia in the lead up to APEC have been extremely fruitful.