31 October 2015: The Ministers from the BASIC countries (Brazil, South Africa, India and China) have reiterated their commitment to reaching an equitable, ambitious, comprehensive, balanced and durable agreement in Paris through a transparent, inclusive and party-driven process. In their joint statement, the Ministers call for accelerating textual negotiations on the basis of “the revised non-paper” issued by the UNFCCC on 23 October 2015.

At the 21st BASIC Ministerial Meeting, hosted by China in Beijing, from 30-31 October, ministers from the four countries undertook a “thorough analysis of current climate change politics.” In their joint statement, the Minsters outline their views on the UNFCCC negotiations and the expected Paris climate change agreement. They stress their commitment to working constructively to reach an ambitious agreement in Paris that: is under the UNFCCC; enhances its full, effective and sustained implementation; shall be in full accordance with the Convention’s principles and provisions; and reflects differentiation between developed and developing countries in each of its elements.

The Ministers also reiterate the need for developed countries to take the lead in the post-2020 period “by committing and implementing ambitious economy-wide, absolute quantified emission reduction targets” while developing countries “will enhance their different types of mitigation efforts.”

They also, inter alia: stress the equal importance of adaptation and mitigation in the agreement; emphasize the need for developed countries to provide finance, technology and capacity-building support to developing countries; and emphasize that existing institutions and mechanisms under the Convention on adaptation, loss and damage, finance and technology should be anchored to, and further strengthened, in the Paris agreement.

On intended nationally determined contributions (INDCs), the Ministers note that ambition and progression should cover both action and support. They call for a post-2020, enhanced and transparent system of action and support to be built on the existing differentiated arrangements under the Convention.

Noting that the BASIC countries have communicated their ambitious INDCs, the Ministers urge developed countries to communicate their commitments on provision of support as early as possible to fulfill their obligations under the Convention.

The 22nd BASIC Ministerial Meeting will be hosted by India in the first half of 2016. [Government of India Press Release] [IISD RS Story on 20th BASIC Ministerial on Climate Change] [IISD RS Story on ADP 2-11 Non-Papers]