Environment and Agricultural Ministerial Meeting: BRICS

• 28 Aug 2021

Why in News

Recently, the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) Environment and Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting was held.

• BRICS brings together the major emerging economies of the world, hosting 41% of the world population, contributing 24% of the world Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and over 16% share in world trade.
• India is the chair of the BRICS grouping for 2021.

Key Points

• 7^th BRICS Environment Ministerial 2021:
  
  • Area of Focus:
    
    • Air pollution, circular economy, combating marine plastic litter and single use plastic product pollution, forestry, including the prevention and mitigation of forest fires, and conservation of biodiversity.
    • Agreed to focus on cooperation on waste management.
      
      • As the efficient management of wastes including recovery of energy and secondary raw materials is crucial for resource conservation, healthy ecosystem and quality of life of the people.
  • New Delhi Statement on Environment was Adopted:
    
    • It is aimed at furthering the spirit of Cooperation for Continuity, Consolidation and Consensus in Environment among the BRICS Nations, especially ahead of the COP15 Biodiversity meet and COP26 (Climate Change) later this year.
  • BRICS Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy Dialogue:
    
    • India has launched this initiative to facilitate an exchange of knowledge and best practices on waste management, resource efficiency and circular economy.
    • The countries will also engage in dialogues on construction, agriculture, solar, biofuels, packaging, electronic wastes, food, water and textiles.
  • India’s Stand:
    
    • Acknowledged that the Climate Change 2021 Report: IPCC may be the last signal for taking concrete collective global actions against global environmental and climate challenges.
    • Actions should be guided by equity, national priorities and circumstances, and the principles of “Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC)”.
      
      • CBDR–RC is a principle within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that acknowledges the different capabilities and differing responsibilities of individual countries in addressing climate change.
• 11^th Meeting of Agriculture Ministers of BRICS:
  
  • Theme:
    
    • BRICS Partnership for Strengthening Agro Biodiversity for Food and Nutrition Security.
  • BRICS Agricultural Research Platform:
    
    • It has been set up in India for strengthening the cooperation in the field of agricultural research & innovations amongst the BRICS member States.
      
      • It has been developed by India.
    • The platform as a global platform for science-led agriculture will help in addressing the issues of world hunger, undernutrition, poverty and inequality by promoting sustainable agricultural development through strategic cooperation in agriculture and allied sectors.
  • Action Plan of 2021-24 for Agricultural Cooperation Adopted:
    
    • Focuses on the themes of food security, welfare of farmers, conservation of agrobiodiversity, resilience of food and agricultural production systems, promotion of digital agricultural solutions etc.
  • India's Stand:
    
    • Highlighted its efforts in preserving the agro-biodiversity by :
      
      • Establishing and maintaining the National Gene banks for plants, animals, fish, insects and agriculturally important microorganisms at different respective Bureaus.
      • Actively promoting the diversification of its agri-food systems through countrywide programs such as pulses, oilseeds, horticultural crops, National Bamboo Mission and the recently launched National Palm Oil Mission.
    • The objective of these programs is to increase the income of the farmers along with providing diversification in both farm and plate.

Source: PIB