Prakash Javadekar calls for sharing best practices among BRICS nation for SDGs

Prakash Javadekar

The 6th BRICS Environment Ministers’ Meeting was held on July 30 via video conferencing where Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar represented India. The Environment Ministers of the five BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China & South Africa) participated in the meet under the presidency of Russia.

Prakash Javadekar

Addressing the conference, Javadekar said that the aspiration of BRICS countries are similar and called for the sharing of best practices among the BRICS nation towards the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Union Minister emphasised on the need to implement the various initiatives under the BRICS and for the speedy implementation of the BRICS MoU. He also offered that India could provide a platform wherein all the best practices in environmental management in BRICS countries could be showcased.

Further, Javadekar detailed on the measures taken by India in the areas relating to sustainable urban management, tackling marine litter, air pollution and the cleaning of rivers. The Minister added that India believes that equity, common but differentiated responsibilities, finance and technology partnerships are the key pillars towards the attainment of global goals of climate change mitigation and adaptation and India is walking the talk on Paris Agreement and its climate commitments.

The Minister also highlighted the measures taken in the country to control air pollution. Detailing on the control measures he said, in 2015 India launched the Air Quality Index monitoring in 10 cities, today it has been extended to 122 cities. He also informed that India in 2019 launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), the goal of which is to reduce particulate pollution by 20-30 percent relative to 2017 levels by 2024.

Read More: India woos BRICS nations to invest in country

During the meeting, the need for all the BRICS nations to work as a group for the post-2020 Biodiversity framework was also brought in light. The meeting was preceded by the BRICS Working Group meeting.

India will assume the BRICS Presidency in 2021.  Javadekar extended the invitation to the BRICS nations to participate in the BRICS environment meetings. The meeting adopted BRICS Environment Ministers’ Statement. It was welcomed by all countries, as an action-oriented and progressive statement which shows BRICS countries eagerness to both on work mutually and fruitfully.

(With Inputs from PIB)