20 May 2018: Ministers from Brazil, South Africa, India and China (BASIC) have issued a joint statement at the conclusion of their 26th meeting on climate change, expressing their determination to complete and adopt the Paris Agreement Work Programme (PAWP) at the 24th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 24) to the UNFCCC in December 2018.

In their joint statement, BASIC ministers commit to work with other Parties to ensure a comprehensive and balanced PAWP outcome, “based on the principle of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, in the light of different national circumstances.” Ministers underscore the need for the negotiating session in Bangkok in September to deliver a Party-driven negotiating text covering all issues and interlinkages related to implementation of the Paris Agreement on climate change, and reflecting all options in a balanced manner. They also commend the Talanoa Dialogue process, noting that their countries will convene national events with relevant stakeholders and contribute to the Dialogue ahead of COP 24.

The statement also: urges developed countries to take the lead in emission reductions, and peak their emissions as soon as possible; expresses concern regarding gaps in “pre-2020 climate efforts”; cautions against transferring these gaps to the post-2020 period; and asks developed countries to honor commitments and increase ambition, including through the provision of support to help developing countries increase ambition.

Ministers state that guidance developed under the PAWP should help Parties prepare and communicate their mitigation, adaptation and support contributions, and call for support to developing countries to increase their capacities, including to prepare and implement their contributions and to participate in the Paris Agreement’s enhanced transparency framework. They stress that the enhanced transparency framework must build flexibility for developing countries into modalities, procedures and guidelines (MPG), including with regard to reporting frequency, quantifiable references consistent with mitigation efforts, and capacity building for reporting based on nationally determined needs.

Ministers caution against transferring gaps in “pre-2020 climate efforts” to the post-2020 period.

Ministers emphasize that current work on guidance for mitigation components of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) should, inter alia, respect differentiation between developed and developing countries and diversity of mitigation efforts by developing countries, including related to the impact of response measures.

Ministers express concern regarding limited progress in the negotiations on adaptation and loss and damage; recognize the importance of reporting on impacts and adaptation in the enhanced transparency framework; and underscore the importance of equity in aggregating progress and efforts in the global stocktake (GST).

The statement urges developed countries to honor commitments to reach the US$100 billion per year climate finance goal by 2020, and to scale up financial support in the post-2020 period. It calls for, among other things, robust guidelines and methodologies to track and account for the provision of finance, and discussions on modalities for communicating information on developed country support.

Ministers express concern over “attempts by some developed countries” to unilaterally apply new eligibility criteria for developing country access to funding under the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF), noting that such attempts fall outside the mandates of the GEF Council and GCF Board.

On technology development and transfer, and capacity building, ministers urge furthering progress under the PAWP on assessment of the effectiveness and adequacy of support under the UNFCCC Technology Mechanism, elaboration of the technology framework, and enhancement of the Paris Committee on Capacity-building (PCCB).

Additionally, ministers recognize the importance of addressing emission reductions in international aviation and shipping and ensuring environmental integrity throughout the UN system. They commit to strengthen bilateral cooperation among BASIC countries and to promote South-South cooperation on climate change, in the context of sustainable development, prioritizing poverty eradication and food security.

The 26th Ministerial Meeting on Climate Change convened in Durban, South Africa, from 19-20 May. India will host the 27th BASIC Ministerial Meeting on Climate Change in the second half of 2018. [BASIC Joint Ministerial Statement]