BASIC countries to discuss climate change today

NEW DELHI: Representatives of BASIC countries — Brazil, South Africa, India and China — will meet here on Thursday to chalk out common ground on crucial issues ahead of the climate change talks in Lima in December. The meeting will be attended by environment ministers of the four countries on Friday.

This bloc is quite powerful in terms of thwarting attempt’s by rich nations to unreasonably impose their wish at the cost of developing nations during any negotiations on climate change issues under the UN convention.

The two-day 18th BASIC ministerial meeting will work on enhancing coordination on various issues and arrive at a common position.

Issues related to early capitalization of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and broadening the base of REDD plus (afforestation) programmes in developing countries will come up for discussion during the meet.

“The BASIC ministers have been meeting regularly since Conference of Parties (COP) Copenhagen to exchange views and evolve a coordinated approach on important negotiating issues,” said a statement issued by the environment ministry.

The 17th BASIC Ministerial Meeting on climate change was held in Hangzhou, China in October last year. The meetings are hosted by rotation in member countries.