The Environment Ministers of the five BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China & South Africa) participated in the 6th BRICS Environment Ministers’ Meeting on 30 July 2020 via video-conference under the presidency of Russia.
Representing India, Union Environment Minister, Shri Prakash Javadekar, stressed upon the need to implement various initiatives under the BRICS and for the speedy implementation of the MoU.
Highlighting the efforts made by India in controlling Air pollution Shri Javadekar said that 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 Program (NCAP), the goal of which is to reduce particulate pollution by 20-30 percent relative to 2017 levels by 2024.
Shri Javadekar also elaborated on the efforts made by India in areas relating to sustainable urban management, tackling marine litter, air pollution and the cleaning of rivers.
During the meeting the need for all the nations to work as a group for the post 2020 Biodiversity framework was also emphasized. The meeting was preceded by the Working Group meeting.
India will assume the BRICS Presidency in 2021. Shri Javadekar extended invitation to the nations to participate in the environment meetings. The meeting adopted BRICS Environment Ministers’ Statement.
It was welcomed by all countries, as an action oriented and progressive statement which shows participating countries eagerness to both work mutually and fruitfully.
This is a Press Information Bureau Feed; edited by Clean-Future Team