Nairobi: Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav said the clarion call made by India ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’ provides momentum around the globe by adopting a “resolution” at UNEA 5.2 meeting at Nairobi.
The Minister also expressed hope that this resolution will be institutionalised ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’ around the world.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a global call for eliminating single-use plastics. This call of India provided the momentum leading to significant action on plastic pollution around the globe, culminating in the historic resolution and its adoption” the Minister said while addressing the 50th session of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Nairobi on Friday.
UN member states have agreed to start international negotiations on drawing up a global plastics treaty that could set rules for the production, use, and disposal of plastics. The decision was made at a meeting of the UN Environment Assembly 5.2 in Nairobi on Thursday.
The Minister remarked that in 2018, India hosted the World Environment Day on the theme ‘Beat Plastic Pollution and Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a global call for eliminating single-use plastics.
The Minister highlighted that we must tackle today’s environmental crises using the latest science and cutting-edge digital tools and technologies. For this, fostering global knowledge and technology exchange without barriers is critical.
Union Minister said UNEP should build a robust portfolio of projects, particularly for delivering on the environmental dimensions of the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development, and other multilaterally agreed global environmental goals.
“India looks forward to stronger collaboration with UNEP on environmental issues including Conventions and multilateral agreements relating to the environment,” the Minister said while addressing the 50th session of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Nairobi Friday.
The Minister said that India walks the talk and speaks from a position of strength and responsibility on biodiversity and climate change.
“It is from this experience that India sends a message of hope and optimism that humanity and all nations together can strive together and meet these challenges,” he added.
The Minister it is appropriate that UNEP also turn to paying greater attention to the question of the means of implementation.
“Provision of finance, technology transfer, and capacity building would ensure that implementation of these agreements is not a mere burden for developing countries but a pathway to a greener and healthier planet,” he said.
He also called the UNEP to join hands with India to spread the message of L.I.F.E. to the global community with a view to safeguarding humanity and the planet.
Prime minister Narendra Modi gave a clarion call of L.I.F.E- lifestyle for Environment at COP26 at Glasgow.
The Minister stated that India has been engaging with UNEP since 1972, dealing with critical environmental challenges.
“UNEP is one of the leading global voices on the environment. It provides leadership and encourages partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and people to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations, he added.
Yadav also emphasized that UNEP’s 50th anniversary must serve to strengthen international cooperation and encourage collective action to address the major environmental challenges of our time, including climate change, conserving and enhancing biodiversity, and tackling pollution and waste, while moving to the path of sustainability.
