Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Prakash Javadekar held bilateral meeting with Mr. Xie Zhenhua, Vice-Chairman, National Development and Reform Commission, China in Lima, a day before the start of the High Level segment of the COP-20 in Lima, Peru. The Ministers discussed issues of mutual interest relating to the ongoing negotiations on climate change including the recent Joint Statement between China and United States. They discussed in particular the state of play of negotiations under the Ad-hoc Working Group on Durban Platform and stressed the need to maintain and strengthen the unity of developing countries to achieve an ambitious, comprehensive and equitable outcome of the process.
Both the Ministers emphasized that the outcome of negotiations under the Convention must fully adhere to the principles of equity, Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and respective capabilities. They also agreed that adaptation to climate change represents an urgent global priority and must be given equal emphasis in the new agreement. They also called upon developed countries to urgently fulfill the pledges made by them to provide financial support to developing countries. The Ministers also reiterated their common resolve to continue to work for a positive outcome of the Lima COP and agreed to meet again during the week to share views and coordinate positions.