The
Environment Ministers of BRICS countries today agreed on a Memorandum of
Understanding and announced setting up of a Joint Working Group,
institutionalizing their mutual cooperation on environment-related issues. The
Ministerial Declaration highlights key agreements, which were adopted with
mutual consensus. The areas agreed for mutual cooperation are - abatement
and control of air and water pollution, efficient management of liquid and
solid waste, climate change and conservation of biodiversity. This
announcement was made by Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Environment,
Forest and Climate Change, Shri Anil Madhav Dave, at a press conference held at
the end of the second BRICS Environment Ministers meeting in Goa. This meeting
was preceded by one-day of official level discussions between these countries.
Shri
Dave said that technology transfer and finance are two issues that need to be
addressed to achieve goals. He pointed out that BRICS has a major role to play
and is a global idea. The Minister said that there was some agreement on areas
such as air quality, water management and solid waste management in the meeting.
The Environment Minister particularly emphasised that it is essential to
preserve water bodies.
The
Ministers of BRICS nations called upon the developed countries to honour their
commitments relating to means of implementation and facilitate its
operationalization, with a clear roadmap for the successful achievement of
various global environmental agreements and Sustainable Development Goals.
The
BRICS countries resolved to set up a platform for innovations, knowledge
sharing and capacity building including a common website, network of technical
institutions and undertake joint projects in areas of mutual interest.
The
BRICS nations also reaffirmed their commitment to the Principles of Rio
Declaration on Environment and Development, 1992 including Equity and Common But
Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR).
Brazil,
Russia, India, China and South Africa, comprising BRICS block together accounts
for 41.6% of global population, 29.31 % of total world’s territory and
about 22% of world’s total GDP have rich biodiversity and natural capital. The
choices made by the BRICS countries have a global significance.
Brazil
was led by Ambassador Mr Fernando Coimbra, Head of the Office for International
Affairs at the Ministry of Environment. Minister of Natural Resources and
Environment, Mr Sergey Donskoy led the Russian delegation, while the Chinese
delegation was led by Mr Zhao Yingmin, Vice-Minister of Environment Protection and
the South African delegation was led by Minister of Environmental Affairs, Ms.
Edna Molewa, respectively.
Secretary,
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Ajay Narayan Jha,
Special Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri
Rajani Ranjan Rashmi, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and
Climate Change, Shri A.K Mehta and Joint Secretary, Ministry of Environment,
Forest and Climate Change, Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad and other officers of
MoEFCC were among those who attended the meeting.
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