India, France begin initiative to improve ties in sustainable development

NEW DELHI: India and France on Thursday, January 28, introduced a joint initiative to strengthen cooperation in sustainable development and work towards global environmental protection.

Prakash Javadekar, Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), and Barbara Pompili, Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO), France, launched the Indo-French Year of the Environment, under which both countries will involve in discussions on critical areas of alliance relating to the environment and allied areas. Several programmes under the initiative will focus on five main themes, namely, environmental protection, climate change, biodiversity conservation, sustainable urban development, and development of renewable energies and energy efficiency.

Welcoming Pompili on her maiden visit to India, Javadekar stressed on the importance of India-France association in working towards climate change. Javadekar said that both countries are the two main pillars of the International Solar Alliance launched by the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi. This revolutionary step has changed into a successful experiment. This partnership towards global environment protection will set a trend for the rest of the world to work more effectively and efficiently towards sustainable development.  Stating about India’s actions towards climate change, he said India has achieved 26 per cent of reduction in emission intensity.

Reiterating the significance of the Indo-French partnership towards climate change and environment protection, Pompilli said that through this partnership, France and India look forward to set an example for the rest of the world. She added that India can encourage many countries in the field of sustainable development.

According to a French ministry source, the Indo-French Year of the Environment will be held under the protection of the MITECO, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs with the support of the Embassy of France in Delhi and its partners.

From the Indian side, it will be coordinated by the MoEFCC along with the Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and other concerned departments.