November 08, 2001
SHIR BAALU ADDRESSES THE SEVENTH CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES TO UNFCCC
India has expressed its full cooperation with the world community to deal with the global problem of climate change across the world. This assurance was extended by Shri T.R. Baalu, Minister of Environment and Forests, Government of India, who is leading the Indian delegation to the Seventh Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change at Marrakesh, Morocco, yesterday. Shri Baalu expressed "India’s resolve to cooperate with the global community in its endeavour to deal with the problem of climate change".
Speaking at the Seventh Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC, Shri Baalu emphasised the need for implementation of concrete measures to safeguard the climate. He highlighted the fact that the impacts of climate change will affect the developing countries more adversely than the developed countries and called for greater attention to adaptation needs of the developing countries. He informed the Conference that India is considering the possibility of hosting the Eighth Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Shri Baalu said that in 1997 Kyoto Protocol was adopted in realisation that we needed to do more. The developed countries were to take lead in modifying the long-term trend in anthropogenic emissions. This has not happened. In the meanwhile, the disparities have only grown. Little has happened by way of resource and technology transfer from developed countries to developing countries. The Minister stated that the impacts of climate change will affect the developing countries more adversely than the developed countries, thereby further exacerbating the inequities. Some of these impacts are already visible. Food security and water availability will be a cause of serious concern. Floods, droughts, cyclones and storms, which have been of serious concern to the developing countries, are likely to increase in frequency and intensity, further threatening the livelihoods and survival of large populations in the developing countries.
Earlier, Shri Baalu met the President of Seventh Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Mr. Mohamed El Yazghi, Minister for Land and Urban Development, Environment and Housing, Government of the Kingdom of Morocco, along with the Secretary, Environment and Forests. Shri Baalu had also a meeting with the UNDP Under Secretary General and Associate Administrator Mr. Zephrinin Diabre. During the discussions, Shri Baalu emphasised the need for focussing on the rural areas and streamlining of flow of Global Environment Fund for successful implementation of projects. The Associate Administrator assured of his full support in all areas of activities, especially climate change.