Using the latest science and technology to tackle the environmental crisis: India at UNEA

New Delhi: The latest cutting-edge scientific and digital tools are needed to tackle the current environmental crisis for which it is essential to foster the global exchange of knowledge and technologies without any barriers, India told UNEA on Friday.

Representing India at a special session of the 5th United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), the Union’s Environment Minister , Bhupender Yadav, said the occasion should be used to strengthen international cooperation to address major environmental challenges.

“UNEP’s 50th anniversary should serve to strengthen international cooperation and encourage collective action to address the major environmental challenge of our time, including climate change, the conservation and enhancement of biodiversity and the fight against pollution. and waste while committing to the path of sustainability.

The Union Minister stressed the need to use the latest cutting-edge scientific and digital tools and technologies to tackle the current environmental crisis.

“For this, it is essential to foster the global exchange of knowledge and technologies without barriers,” Yadav said during the plenary session of the special session.

The 5th UNEA started in Nairobi on February 28 and will end on Friday with the special session.

“I congratulate UNEP on completing 50 years of outstanding service to the global community.

Yadav said India has engaged with UNEP since 1972, dealing with critical environmental challenges.

“UNEP is one of the world’s leading environmental voices. It provides leadership and encourages partnership in the protection of the environment by inspiring, informing and enabling nations to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations,” said the Minister of the Environment.

He recalled that in 2018, India hosted World Environment Day with the theme “Beat Plastic Pollution” with Prime Minister Narendra Modi launch a global call to eliminate single-use plastic.

“This call from India provided the impetus leading to meaningful action against plastic pollution worldwide, culminating in the historic resolution and its adoption. We believe this will institutionalize ‘Beating Plastic Pollution’ globally. entire,” he said.

Yadav said that on the occasion of its 50th anniversary, UNEP needs to pay more attention to the issue of means of implementation.

“Providing finance, technology transfer and capacity building will ensure that implementing this agreement is not just a burden on developing countries, but a pathway to a greener and healthier planet,” he said, adding that a sustainable way of life underpins the survival of our planet.

He asserted that India believed that the use of resources should be conscious and not thoughtless and destructive consumption.

“Our Prime Minister made a clear call for LIFE – Lifestyle for Environment – at COP 26 in Glasgow,” the minister said.

“We believe that UNEP should partner with India to spread the message of LIFE to the global community with a view to safeguarding humanity and the planet,” he said.

India looks forward to closer collaboration with UNEP on environmental issues, including multilateral environmental conventions and agreements, Yadav said.

He also called on UNEP to build a strong portfolio of projects, particularly for achieving the environmental dimension of the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development and other agreed global environmental goals.

“India is leading by example and speaking 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 can struggle together and overcome these challenges,” Yadav said.

In a historic step on March 2, 175 UNEA party countries signed a mandate calling for a legally binding treaty addressing the full life cycle of plastic, from production to disposal by 2024.

In a statement, the UNEA said the mandate will inform the text of the treaty itself, which an International Negotiating Committee (INC) will be tasked with drafting and ratifying over the next two years.

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