Representatives from almost 200 countries reached an agreement Saturday on the phaseout of potent greenhouse gases used in refrigerators and air conditioners, a major step in curbing global warming, a Rwandan minister announced.

"The amendment and decisions are adopted," Rwanda's Minister of Natural Resources Vincent Biruta said after overnight talks, held in the country's capital Kigali, on ending the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).