Union Minister for Environment and Forests Prakash Javadekar has said that coming together of BASIC countries- Brazil, South Africa, India and China and putting views together is an important aspect of United Nations negotiations. Mr Javadekar represented India in the 28th BASIC Ministerial Meeting on Climate Change which was held in Sao Paulo in Brazil from 14th to 16th of this month.
According to an official release, the Minister said, the BASIC Group could play an important role in making Paris Agreement accepted by all the countries in its true letter and spirit. He added that BASIC countries would be united and speak in one voice and the joint statement which was issued has highlighted all the issues which are relevant today.
In the joint statement, which was issued at the conclusion of the meeting, the BASIC Ministers expressed their concern for climate change and its adverse effects. They reaffirmed their commitment to the successful implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change-UNFCCC, its Kyoto Protocol and its Paris Agreement, based on the recognition of the needs and special circumstances of developing countries.
The BASIC countries reiterated their commitment to work together with all parties in an open, transparent, inclusive and Party-driven manner to achieve a balanced and comprehensive outcome on all remaining items of the Paris Agreement Work Programme. The Ministerial meeting was held in the run-up to the UNFCC Conference of Parties (COP-25) meet to be held later in the year from 2nd to 13th December.
