For “Cleaner Air, Greener Economy”, India and Germany extended commitment in 3rd Indo-German Environment Forum

NewsBharati    13-Feb-2019
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New Delhi, Feb 13: India’s commitment to Environmental issues is always powerful and furthering this commitment, Third Indo-German Environment Forum with the theme "Cleaner Air, Greener Economy" is being held in New Delhi.

The one-day event through panel discussions and parallel sessions focus on challenges, solutions and necessary framework conditions of air pollution control, waste management and the circular economy as well as the implementation of NDCs and SDGs based on Paris Agreement and Agenda 2030 of UN.

Inaugurating the forum, Union Minister, Dr. Harsh Vardhan said, "India and Germany have had a rich cooperation engagement for the last 60 years which extends to sectors such as natural resource management, urban environment protection, climate change adaptation and mitigation, and innovative green technologies."

 

He further emphasized that the Indo-German bilateral relations are founded on common democratic principles and today, Germany is amongst India's most important partners both bilaterally and in the global context.

 

He said, “India’s development trajectory focuses on 5 Ps that is People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnership. The bilateral cooperation in the future should focus on marine litter, SDG and NDC implementation, climate change adaptation and Forestry.”

 

On this occasion, Federal Environment Minister from Germany Svenja Schulze said, "progress and implementation of 2030 agenda are slow and the window of opportunity for low carbon economy is dwindling and Government, Industry, and Society should do more".

She congratulated the Indian Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modi on cooperating with UNEP on addressing plastic pollution during the World Environment Day hosted by India on June 05, 2018 and also welcomed India’s commitment to creating a circular economy.

She further stated that the Indo-German Environment Forum needs to build on experience exchange and cooperation will be strengthened in the areas of marine litter, waste to energy, biodiversity, waste, and water.

The four working groups met this year in the run-up to this forum, to discuss the progress made and to bring in new topics of mutual benefits. Few of the outcomes have been cooperation in the field of marine litter, air pollution control, waste management, water pollution, circular economy, NDC implementation, SDG monitoring and climate change (with focus on forestry and adaptation).

Two Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) were also exchanged between both sides.