11 April 2017: Ministers from the BASIC countries (Brazil, South Africa, India and China) have adopted a joint declaration urging industrialized countries to honor their commitments and increase climate finance towards the US$100 billion per annum goal, to be scaled-up significantly after 2025.

The 24th BASIC Ministerial Meeting on Climate Change took place in Beijing, China, from 10-11 April 2017. In line with the ‘BASIC-plus’ approach, Ministers from Fiji, on behalf of the incoming Presidency of the 23rd session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 23) to the UNFCCC, Egypt, and China, on behalf of the Chair of the G77/China, attended the meeting as observers.

In the joint statement issued at the conclusion of the meeting, Ministers welcome the early entry into force of the Paris Agreement, noting that it reflects equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities (CBDR-RC), in light of different national circumstances. The Ministers reiterate that the global effort against climate change is “an irreversible process that cannot be postponed,” also stressing that it provides opportunities to promote sustainable development. They indicate their “highest political commitment” to the implementation of the Convention, its Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement.

Having discussed “the international situation and developments,” BASIC Ministers reiterate their “unwavering commitment” to act against climate change and urge all signatories to “maintain their support” to the Paris Agreement.

The joint statement indicates that, having discussed “the international situation and developments,” the Ministers reiterate their “unwavering commitment” to act against climate change, and urge all signatories to “maintain their support” to the Paris Agreement. They also welcome the “successful outcomes of COP 22” and pledge their full support to the incoming Fijian Presidency of COP 23, underlining that COP 23 should accelerate implementation of pre-2020 commitments.

On the implementation of the Agreement from 2020, BASIC Ministers underscore the need for “entering into the textual negotiation” on the modalities, procedures and guidelines for the Paris Agreement as early as possible to produce a comprehensive negotiating text at COP 23. They add that work on implementation of the Agreement “shall reflect differentiation, nationally determined nature of Parties’ contributions, and flexibility to developing countries.” They recall developed countries’ obligations under the Convention and the Paris Agreement, including to provide financial resources, technology development and transfer and capacity-building support to all developing countries, emphasizing the need for “further clarity and robust methodologies to track and account for the provision of finance by developed countries.” The joint statement also emphasizes the importance of the global adaptation goal and adaptation communications in achieving the purpose of the Paris Agreement.

BASIC Ministers further call on developed countries to: provide “adequate support” to developing countries to carry out their adaptation actions; revisit and increase their economy-wide quantified emission reduction targets; implement and enhance the provision of finance, technology and capacity-building support to developing countries; and ratify the Doha Amendment to the Kyoto Protocol.

They conclude by reiterating that the UNFCCC is the primary international forum to coordinate the global response to climate change, and welcoming the offer by Brazil to host the 25th BASIC Ministerial meeting in the second half of 2017. [India Embassy Press Release with Joint Statement]