Prakash Javadekar, Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change has said India will remain committed to energy and resource efficient development. As a country it strongly believed in the post-2015 development agenda, an agenda which could initiate sustained and inclusive economic growth in all countries, particularly the developing nations. The Minister stated this in his interaction with key-principals/stakeholders on the sidelines of the First United Nations Environment Assembly at Nairobi.
During the last two days, Shri Javadekar had a series of bilateral meetings to discuss issues of mutual interest and concern. The bilateral meetings were held with Mr. Janez Potocnik, European Commissioner for Environment and Mr. Achim Steiner, Executive Director, UNEP in Nairobi. Shri Javadekar also met with BRICS Environment Ministers for an informal dialogue hosted by the Chinese Environment Minister, Mr Zhou Shengxian. The Minister also had comprehensive discussions with Mr. Daniel A. Reifsnyder, Assistant Secretary for Environment and leader of delegation of USA to UNEA, Mr. Robert D. Pickersgill Minister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change Minister, Jamaica and H.E. Dr. (Mrs.) Masoumeh Ebtekar Vice President of Islamic Republic of Iran and Head of Department of Environment.
During his interaction with the key-principals, Shri Javadekar discussed issues related to environment protection and development needs of the developing countries. He specifically emphasized on the matters related to Technology Facilitation Mechanism (TFM). The issue was discussed in the context of it being able to address the technology transfer needs of developing countries in various sectors such as health, energy, food, water and sanitation. The Minister emphasized that the developing countries ought to be assisted in technology needs assessment, adaptation, rollout and human and institutional capacity building in order to meet the vast requirements of sustainable development. The Minister reiterated that the roadmap to the green climate fund should be utilized to purchase IPRs of most crucial technologies for public good and these technologies should then be freely available to developing countries to ensure a sustainable development that addressed the concerns of environment and the people.
The Minister also apprised the dignitaries regarding India’s National Climate Action Plan with eight missions, viz. missions on solar energy, energy efficiency, sustainable habitat, water, Himalayan eco-system, Greening India, sustainable agriculture and strategic knowledge for climate change. Shri Javadekar specifically outlined the new initiatives related to integrated coastal development, forest conservation, combating desertification, island development and cleaning Ganga River.