ENGLAND AGREES WITH INDIA ON COMMITMENT TO
THE RIO PRINCIPLES
The United Kingdom has agreed with India on the need
for adhering to the Rio Principles that were agreed to at the
Earth Summit at Rio de Janeiro for effective implementation of
Agenda 21 for Sustainable Development. This issue was discussed
at a meeting between the Environment & Forests Minister, Shri
T.R. Baalu, and the Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom,
H.E. Mr. John Prescott, at the ongoing World Summit at Johannesburg
on Thursday. H.E. Mr. Prescott said that reiteration of commitment
to the Rio Principles should form part of the political declaration
to be issued at the end of the Summit on the 4th of
next month. He also shared India’s concern about the efforts of
some industrialised countries to dilute the Rio Principles concerning
international cooperation for achieving the goals of sustainable
development.
Shri Baalu took with the U.K. Deputy Prime Minister
the issue of Common but Differentiated Responsibility (CDR) contribution
by developed countries0f 0.7 per cent of GNP as Official Development
Assistance (ODA). H.E. Mr. Prescott said, "CDR is a part
of the Rio Treaty and cannot be overlooked now and we share India’s
concerns in this regard. All countries should expand but not at
the expense of the others. If the Johannesburg Conference doesn’t
give the desired results, it will take all of us back substantially."
On the issue of Type-2 initiatives that are being proposed by
some industrialised countries, the Deputy Prime Minister said
that those could only supplement the inter-governmental cooperation
and could not be a substitute. The two leaders expressed concern
over the slow progress in the negotiations at the Johannesburg
Summit.
Shri Baalu also discussed issues concerning climate
change and the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (COP 8) to be held in Delhi from
the 23rd October this year. The two leaders explored
the possibility of European Union-India Joint Initiative to impress
upon Russia to ratify the Kyoto protocol on emission of greenhouse
gases. Further discussions will be held in this regard.
As a part of India’s efforts to convey its concerns
and expectations from the Johannesburg Summit, Shri Baalu has
met Environment Ministers and Leaders of Delegations from various
countries. He has also held discussions with his counterparts
from Finland, Brazil, Israel, Mexico, Bangladesh and South Africa.
He is also scheduled to meet the Environment Ministers of Japan,
Norway, and Denmark later. When the Environment Minister of Finland,
H.E. Mr. S. Pagknain sought India’s help in finalising a draft
to enable the developed countries share their experience and technology
with the developing countries, Shri Baalu said that developing
countries could not be forced to accept suggestions and conditionalities
that were not in accordance with national priorities. Shri Baalu
also urged the developed countries to take suitable measures to
inspire confidence among the developing nations since environment
is a common concern.
