India, at the UNEA, said that the most recent science and the most cutting-edge digital tools are necessary to address the current environment crisis.
Bhupender Yadav, Union Environment Minister, represented India at a special session (UNEA 5th) to mark the 50th anniversary UN Environment Programme (UNEP). He stated that the occasion should serve to strengthen international cooperation in order to address major environmental problems.
“UNEP’s 50th Anniversary must serve to strengthen international cooperation, encourage collective action to address the most pressing environmental problem of our time, including climate change and conserving and enhancing biodiversity. It also needs to tackle pollution and move forward on the path to sustainability. The Union minister stressed the importance of using cutting-edge digital tools, technologies and science to address the current environmental crisis.
Yadav stated that fostering global knowledge exchange and technology exchange is crucial to achieve this goal.
The 5th UNEA started in Nairobi on Tuesday, February 28, and will conclude Friday with the special session.
“I congratulate UNEP on its 50 year anniversary of extraordinary service to the global community. Yadav stated that India has been working with the UNEP since 1972 to address critical environmental issues.
The UNEP is the global voice for the environment. It leads and encourages cooperation in caring for the planet by inspiring, informing, and enabling countries to improve their quality life without compromising future generations,” said the minister.
He recalled how India hosted the World Environment Day in 2018 on the theme “Beat Plastic Pollution”, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging the world to eliminate single-use plastic. “This call from India led to significant actions on plastic pollution around world, culminating in the historic resolution being adopted. He stated that this would institutionalize “Beat Plastic Pollution” around the globe.
Yadav stated that UNEP’s 50th anniversary should be a time for greater attention to the issue of how to implement the agreement. “Provision of finance and technology transfer will ensure that implementation is not a burden on developing nations but a pathway towards a greener and more healthy planet,” Yadav stated. He also said that sustainable lifestyles are essential to the survival of our planet. He stated that India believes that resource utilisation must be mindful and not reckless and destructive. The minister stated that the PM of India called for LIFE- Lifestyle and Environment- at COP 26, in Glasgow.
He stated that ”We believe the UNEP should partner with India to spread LIFE to all peoples with a view towards protecting the planet and humanity”.
Yadav stated that India is looking forward to stronger cooperation with UNEP on environmental issues, including multilateral agreements and conventions relating to the environment.
He also demanded that the UNEP build a robust portfolio to support the environmental dimension of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and other agreed global environmental goals.
“India is a leader in the fight against climate change and biodiversity. This experience is what India sends hope and optimism to humanity and all nations that they can work together to meet these challenges,” Yadav stated.
A historic step was taken by 175 countries parties to the UNEA on March 2nd, when they signed a mandate calling to create a legally binding agreement that addresses the entire life cycle of plastics from production through disposal by 2024.
The UNEA said in a statement that the mandate would inform the text of treaty, which an International Negotiating Committee, (INC), will be tasked over the next two-years with drafting.
(This story was not edited by Devdiscourse staff. It is generated automatically from a syndicated feed.