core sector communique

Second Commitment Period of Kyoto Protocol and Fast Track Finance Most Critical issues: Jairam Ramesh

Shri Jairam Ramesh, Minister of State for Environment and Forests said it is highly regrettable and most unfortunate that even after 14 months of Copenhagen Accord, under the so called Fast Finance Track window, there is hardly any significant disbursement. Giving his opening remarks in a press conference here today at the end of two-day 6TH Meeting of BASIC Ministers on Climate Change, Shri Ramesh said, “ All of us welcomed the Cancun Agreements. It was a positive step forward and Cancun Agreements provided a stage for resolution of some outstanding political issues. We were equally convinced that the Cancun Agreements are not a substitute for the ‘Bali Road Map’ that are not present in the Cancun Agreements. Basic growth of countries will make every effort to bring these issues back in the main stream of global climate change negotiations.”

Shri Ramesh said that in particular three issues were identified, namely, the issue of equity, the issue of intellectual property rights and the issue of trade. Adding to this he said, “There are three very important issues for BASIC quartet . With help of 77 Group we will bring these and other Bali Road Issues back into the Mainstream of negotiating agenda.”Giving details about the negotiations ,Shri Ramesh informed, “We need to continue the negotiations in 2011 leading up to Durban in a sprit of inclusiveness and transparency. Many issues on which we need further clarity. Two most critical issues are of second commitment period of the Kyoto protocol and the issue of Fast Track Finance. It is highly regrettable and most unfortunate that even after 14 months of Copenhagen Accord, under the so called Fast Track Finance (FTF)window there is hardly any significant disbursement. This was a commitment of 30 billion dollars, over a 3 year period. Fast Start Finance was meant for South Africa, small island states and for the LDCs. It is a matter of great regret that the FSF which was the key element of bargain at Copenhagen, is a contradiction in terms. Unless countries begin to see money flowing, the atmosphere at Durban would continue is be clouded by doubts and suspicion.”

Giving details of a meeting of Basic Group of Experts Shri Ramesh said they also met on non-government issues yesterday and discussed the issue of equitable excess to sustainable development . It has been decided that this group of independent academics will prepare a synthesis paper on our approach to the issue of equity which is a key vision of shared global concem .”

Mr Zhenhua Xie, Vice Minister of the National Development and Reform Commission and Special Representative on Climate Change, People’s Republic of China, said , “We are going to safe guard the interests of developing countries to promote over all climate change negotiations’ process.The BASIC group will play a very active and constructive role in promoting over all process.”

Ms Izabella Monica Vieria Teixeira, Minister of Environment, Federative Republic of Brazil, said in her opening remark, “ We will work together to support our agenda. Next two years will be very cucial for sustainable development agenda.”

Ms Bomo Edith Edna Molewa, Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Republic of South Africa, said, “We had good discussions as BASIC group and regarding Agreements arrived at Cancun our emphasis will be on the issues of finance, technology and capacity building etc.We have to emphasis on finance to avoid some challenges which might arise at Durban.”

India has invited Ministers/Ambassadors from three other countries – Argentina, Algeria and Maldives –to the Delhi meeting. These countries represent important regional groups within the “G-77 and China” bloc in the climate change negotiations, and will participate in the meeting as Observers. This is in keeping with the BASIC tradition of involving major regional groups within G-77 and China in order to enrich discussions and represent the interests of developing countries. Maldives is a member of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in addition to being a neighboring country from South Asian region. Algeria represents the developing countries in Africa, while Argentina is the current Chair of the Group of 77 and China. The participation included Argentinean representative at United Nations, Environment Minister of Maldives and special representative of the Environment Minister of Algeria , representing this Africa Group

The Basic Group’s meetings started in 2009 in Beijing, followed by New Delhi, Cape Town, Reo de Janero , Tanjein, China and again in New Delhi for 6th meeting.