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Transcript of Media Briefing on PM's visit to Mexico and Brazil

June 15, 2012

Official Spokesperson (Shri Syed Akbaruddin): Good afternoon friends and I welcome you to this media interaction. Thank you for being here with us this afternoon. We will focus today on the Prime Minister’s visit to Mexico and to Brazil. Let me run through a few details before I ask the Hon. Minister of Environment and Forests to take over.

As you know, this is the Seventh G20 Summit that is being hosted in Mexico on 18th and 19th June, 2012. This is being hosted in Los Cabos. In addition to the G20 members and Spain, which is a permanent invitee to the G20 Summits, Mexico has also invited Benin as African Union Chair, Cambodia as the current ASEAN Chairman, Chile, Sri Lanka, and Ethiopia to attend the Summit.

The Mexican Presidency has emphasized on five priorities for their Presidency. Let me try and list them out for you.

  • Economic stabilization and structural reforms as foundations for growth and employment.
  • Strengthening the financial system and fostering financial inclusion to promote economic growth.
  • Improving international financial architecture in an interconnected world.
  • Enhancing food security, addressing commodity price volatility
  • Promoting sustainable development, green growth and the fight against climate change.

Since the discussions on the two tracks that the G20 generally undertakes have already commenced today - these are the Sherpa Track and the Finance Track - all those who are participating on our behalf in the G20 discussions are already in Los Cabos. The Deputy-Chairperson of Planning Commission Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia is the Sherpa from the Indian side. Shri R. Gopalan, Secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs is handling the finance track. Hence, during the briefing today we will not be able to provide you with specific details on the substance of the discussions at the G20. However, I will share with you some details about other meetings that the Prime Minister intends to hold in Los Cabos.

As you know, apart from the G20 Summit there are usually bilateral meetings. My understanding is that the Prime Minister is likely to hold several such bilateral meetings, and I will try and indicate to you those which have been firmed up. These are with Mr. Felipe Calderon, President of Mexico; Ms. Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany; Mr. Vladimir Putin, President of Russia: Mr. Francois Hollande, President of France. And in addition, the BRICS leaders are to meet in Los Cabos. Apart from these there are a couple meetings that are being scheduled. Once we have the details, we will announce them in terms of timing etc.

I would also like to tell you about some of the other members of the delegation of the Prime Minister who are accompanying him there apart from the two that I have mentioned. They are: Shri T.K.A Nair, Advisor to the Prime Minister; Shri Shivshankar Menon, National Security Advisor; Shri Pulok Chatterjee, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister; and Shri Ranjan Mathai, Foreign Secretary.

In addition, Prime Minister will also attend the UN Conference on Sustainable Development popularly known as the Rio+20 Summit. And we are fortunate today to have with us the Hon. Minister of State with Independent Charge for Environment and Forests, Shrimati Jayanthi Natarajan, who is our Principal Negotiator at the Rio+20. She is assisted by Dr. Tishya Chatterjee, Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forests.

The Hon. Minister has kindly agreed to brief all of you on the Rio+20. After that, as usual, she will be available for a short question and answer session to clarify any issues that you may have.

With this introduction, I will hand over to the Minister so that she can make her brief opening remarks, and following that we will have the usual question and answer session.

The Hon. Minister.

Minister of State of the Ministry of Environment and Forests (Shrimati Jayanthi Natarajan):Thank you and good afternoon.

We stand on the eve of leaving for the very momentous and historic Rio+20 Conference which all of you are undoubtedly aware of. It is a very momentous conference because we celebrate twenty years of implementation of the goals of the First Earth Summit which was held in 1992.

The first Rio Conference, if you all will remember, was very significant because it laid out for the first time twenty years ago the concept of sustainability of the development process. I want to emphasize here that sustainability at that time and today is essentially a development ideal. Over the years it has been refined to further highlight also environmental concerns.

The first Rio Conference itself took major steps. Three conventions were set up - the Climate Change Convention, the Biodiversity and the Desertification. Therefore, at the Rio+20 Conference, where Heads of Government and our own Hon. Prime Minister will participate, will focus upon reviewing how the commitments made at the First Earth Summit and the three Conventions have been implemented.

There is a Zero Draft text which is under discussion, which has been negotiated for some time now. Without taking too much of your time, I will give you the highlights of that Zero Draft. It is called, "The Future We Want”. It deals with several important ideas. The most important sections currently under discussion are those relating to our common vision, renewing political commitment, green economy, institutional framework for sustainable development, and framework for action and follow-up.

Two of the themes of all the themes that are there in the Rio Conference have generated particular interest. These are those relating to green economy and institutional framework. There is also an expectation that issue of sustainable development goals (SDGs) will be discussed as a deliverable of the Rio Conference under the framework of action and follow-up, that chapter.

These are not the only issues. A very important issue according to us is means of implementation. Most importantly, the principles on the basis of which actions have to be taken by countries and the manner in which the Rio principles are reaffirmed and implemented which will be key to whatever the outcome of Rio is.

I just want to tell you first about the concept of green growth. It is usually understood as a reference to low carbon growth or a climate resilient economy. This according to the Indian position, as mandated by Cabinet, is a very restrictive interpretation of green growth and of green economy. We are very particular that green growth should not be seen as a normative concept. We would like a discussion on green economy to focus on evolving and adopting policies that promote environmentally friendly economic growth while respecting national circumstances, and most importantly preserving national policy space for action.

The concept of green economy cannot aim to replace or supplant internationally agreed concept of sustainable development. And very importantly there should be a balance between the three pillars of economic growth, social equity and environmental protection. So, the Indian position focuses mainly upon a balance of the three pillars, namely, economic growth, social equity and environment protection.

And the particular thrust of our negotiating ideal would be to thrust upon the question of equity and the question of common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR) which have already been articulated in the original Rio principles.

We are also very particular that Rio+20 outcomes should not result in any trade restrictive measures or protectionist policies in the name of green growth, and that sustainable development and poverty eradication are overriding priorities for the international community. Therefore, green growth must be seen as one of the means of achieving these overriding priorities.

We want the key message to emerge from the Rio Conference as follows. The Conference should commit itself to sustainable development. It should reaffirm commitment to the Rio principles and common but differentiated responsibilities which is essential to preserve global partnership on sustainable development. We want to reaffirm the right to food, to safe drinking water, sanitation, health and education, and respect human rights based approaches. We feel that existing commitments of developed countries need to be implemented and the declaration should be followed up with action. We also feel that there is a need for new, additional, predictable and public finance from developed countries.

If the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have to be applied universally, there must be agreement on common but differentiated responsibilities. And Sustainable Development Goals, I would like to emphasize very strongly, have to be voluntary, aspirational, non-binding, and there should be no insistence on any thematic growth.

Finally, I just want to mention five quick steps which India has taken. It is not that we do not believe in green growth. We have taken important steps in the direction of green growth or low carbon development. We have agreed to reduce emissions intensity of our GDP by 20 to 25 per cent by 2020 in comparison with 2005. As part of the National Action Plan on Climate Change, a target of 20,000 MW of solar energy generation is being actively pursued under the National Solar Mission.

National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency covers 478 industrial units in six sectors mandated to achieve specific benchmarks in terms of energy efficiency. National Mission on Sustainable Habitat includes plans to achieve energy efficiency in buildings, transport and urban planning. And the Twelfth Five-Year plan, which is now under preparation, will contain a separate chapter on climate change. And the strategy for lower carbon inclusive growth is expected to be integrated under the plan.

Thank you.

Official Spokesperson: The floor is now open for questions.

Question: Jayanthiji, what kind of preparations have been done within BRICS countries in the lead up to the Rio+20 Summit, particularly on the nonbinding clauses regarding SDGs?
Minister of State of the Ministry of Environment and Forests: Very important steps. Not just BRICS, G77 plus China, we see our vision as being anchored in a shared vision of all developing countries. In the year-long or even longer negotiations, in the run-up, continuous meetings between all the countries of G77 and China and various other formations as well, friendly countries, BASIC, BRICS, all the countries separately but basically anchored in G77 plus China, so that the voice of developing countries is heard loud and clear and the principles of equity and CBDR are clearly enunciated and put forward just like we did in Durban. So, the negotiations have emphasized this very clearly, have also shown our unity and we intend to take that forward.

Question: Are you saying India and China …(Inaudible)
Minister of State of the Ministry of Environment and Forests: I am saying G77 plus China. We are anchored in a position with G77 and China, and we hope to take that forward.

Question: Madam, Prime Minister is going at a time when there is a lot of domestic pressure on because of recent political developments on who the President is going to be. Is there tension? Is this trip going to be tense because of domestic situation?
Minister of State for Environment and Forests: Absolutely not. This is a political democracy. The Congress is a party which is more than a century old. The Prime Minister has been the Prime Minister of this country, this is well into his second term. We honour and go forward with our international commitments. We have a robust Chairperson of the UPA. We have a party that functions, an alliance that functions. There is no tension.

Question: Just a follow-up to her question. Why did you all take so long to say that PM is not in the running?
Minister of State for Environment and Forests: But this is about Rio+20. Actually, I am here as a Minister. I would not be appropriate for me to …

She anchored it in the trip.

Question: What is this you explained about G77 and China? What is the stand of BASIC countries? And what are the non-negotiables for India at Rio?
Minister of State for Environment and Forests: I would not assert that G77 plus China have total agreement on all issues. It is an ongoing process. It is developing even as I speak. Our negotiators are there. We are trying to anchor a position of G77 plus China. We are also talking to the BASIC countries. I think that we have made substantial progress. As far as India is concerned, the non-negotiables are: any compromise on the question of equity, and CBDR; and any attempt to make these SDGs in any way binding upon developing countries, binding rather than voluntary or aspirational.

As you know, Millennium Development Goals were announced un

ilaterally and developing countries took it. We believe that sustainable development goals should be voluntary and aspirational, and most importantly supported by means of implementation (MOI) which includes, as you know, finance, no restrictive trade barriers and so on.

Question: Madam, you said your goal would be that the outcome of the Rio Summit does not lead to unfair restrictive trade practices in the name of green economy.
Minister of State for Environment and Forests: That is correct.

Question: Have you coordinated your strategy with the BRICS countries and other countries?
Minister of State for Environment and Forests: As I said, we have actually been negotiating as a group along with G77 plus China, not just BRICS, both BRICS, BASIC, several formations, including a larger formation of G77 plus China.

Question: For the past several rounds of negotiations, same stand has been taken by the developing countries and the US and other countries. There has been no movement forward. What prospects do you see?
Minister of State of the Ministry of Environment and Forests: I think there is movement forward. I think we have to continue to meet. I believe I am extremely optimistic that we will be able to take our vision forward. I do not accept any formulation that there is no movement forward. I believe that twenty years down the road we will be able to assert very strongly that the Rio principles must be reaffirmed.

Question: Can you list some of the things where you see a movement forward?Minister of State of the Ministry of Environment and Forests: The very fact that developing countries(inaudible)………, the original Rio principles stressed upon means of implementation, upon fast-track funding, 30 billion. For example in climate change we have set up Green Climate Fund. So, we are very hopeful that the finance will be forthcoming from developed countries.

Question: (Inaudible)
Minister of State for Environment and Forests: It hasn’t. But we keep talking about it. And we are very hopeful that at this forum we will be able to emphasize that unfair trade restrictions, unilateral trade restrictions will not be acceptable. So, we will continue to talk because the issues are very important. I think the most important step forward is the fact that we have highlighted that sustainable development consists of a balance between three pillars. Poverty eradication is the most important thing, and equity and CBDR are as important as anything else as far as developing countries are concerned.

Question: Madam Minister, this 20 to 25 per cent reduction in carbon emissions by 2020 we are offering to do that, but it should be voluntary or aspirational. You do not want any imposition or any particular binding. Number two, is India expecting any portion of the funds that developed countries are expected to put together to cope with the carbon question? And are the developing countries going to take a united stand on Europe’s decision to impose carbon tax on flights?
Minister of State of the Ministry of Environment and Forests: With regard to your first question, this is something that Prime Minister announced. And we have said very proudly that this is a declaration that shows our commitment, our very serious commitment to the rationalization of climate change and our commitment to sustainable development as well as the environment. This is a voluntary goal that we have set for ourselves. And we have gone, I think, a great way forward because we have introduced legislation that mandates that energy efficiency should be achieved within a particular time. We have gone a great way forward. This in fact reinforces my submission that the goals should be voluntary, aspirational, and nonbinding, because we have done far more than any developed countries have done, because this was a unilateral announcement by our Prime Minister in addition to saying that we will never exceed the per capita emissions of any developed country which he made in Heiligendamm. So, this is something that we have done voluntarily.

As far as EU ETS is concerned, Ministry of Environment has taken strong objection at the UNFCCC to say that this is a restrictive, unilateral trade measure disguised as climate change action, and that EU should not impose it. I have written to the EU Commissioner Connie Hedegaard and we have had talks about it even at the EU Summit. We have taken strong objection to introducing the EU ETS tax - I think they deferred it by about a year right now but we will continue to - and to the maritime levy if it comes forward. We are hoping for new additional funding, What the developed countries are saying is that it can be private. They are showing the recession as a reason. And they say it should be private, you should leave people to raise it. But we are insisting, and we have argued at the negotiating table, we are continuing to argue that it should be additional, predictable and public finance, that governments make commitments, they should also provide for realization – 30 billion USD per year from 2013 to 2017, 100 billion USD per year from 2018 onwards. In fact, we have pointed out at negotiations that United Nations studies have shown that we need at least 1.9 trillion US dollars per year, that is developing countries need, towards sustainable development actions if we are to fulfill it; and therefore, developed countries must set clear paths to achieve internationally agreed Overseas Development Aid (ODA) the target of 0.7 per cent of their GNP to indicate their seriousness. They have made a commitment earlier. We want to reaffirm that that commitment is translated into action.

Question: (Inaudible)
Minister of State for Environment and Forests: 1.7 to 1.8. (Inaudible)

Question: Madam, we know that financial aspect is going to play a very important part so far as implementation aspect is concerned as you have very clearly defined as to what all is needed and the commitments made by developed countries in the past. Considering the Eurozone crisis we all are aware that the developed countries are trying to pull back on so many fronts. Keeping that in mind, to what extent is G77 ready to go ahead? And whenever we see these kind of discussions - we have seen in Durban, we have seen in Cancun - so many things are sacrificed in the last moment, so many compromises are made at the last moment. From India’s stand or stand of G77, if there is a roadblock on these aspects - we have said that we are going to stand by Brazil being a friendly nation to us - to what extent is India going to stay in that case because we have also heard that Brazil may dilute its stand too on the financial aspect?
Minister of State for Environment and Forests: I do not want to comment on Brazil’s stand because Brazil is our host. As the Chair of the Rio Summit they may have a particular way of dealing with the issue. As far as the Indian stand is concerned, it is crystal clear. It is what I outlined earlier. This is what Prime Minister has desired. This is what Cabinet has cleared. I have my redlines and this will be the basis of our negotiation, and this will be basis of the negotiation even within G77, within BASIC, within BRICS and at the table. I have my redlines.

Question: Madam, can you share with us what will be the agenda or the stance at the G20 particularly in the context of within BRICS Brazil had said that it might cap its funding for the IMF if there is no reform in the IMF quota? Are we going to endorse Brazil’s view? What will be our stance?
Official Spokesperson: I think you came a little later after I started the initial announcement. I mentioned, both our negotiators at the G20 are right now in Los Cabos and they are involved in the negotiations. So, at this stage we do not want to say anything which will prejudge the negotiations. However, those of you who are traveling with the Prime Minister will have occasion to interact with Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia as soon as you arrive there on the 17th. I am sure you can put this question to him and he will answer that. So, for the G20 all our negotiators are already there and they are the best persons to answer your question and we will leave it till then. If you are coming, you will have opportunity to ask that question there.

Question: Madam, since Earth Summit is happening when Eurozone crisis is getting rather complicated, don’t you think that the crisis and its impact on developing countries will derail the whole process of commitment to green economy, the commitment that you said?
Minister of State for Environment and Forests: As I said very clearly in my initial remarks, no carbon growth, green economy, all these are issues first have to deal with the issue of poverty as far as developing countries are concerned, have to deal first with equity, with poverty eradication, and we then take it forward from there. And I have listed out the measures that we have taken voluntarily for the green economy. As far as the developed countries are concerned, we do understand their compulsions in view of the Eurozone crisis. But the fact remains that as far as climate change is concerned, as far as sustainable development is concerned, they have gone ahead and they have made commitments even twenty years ago when the First Earth Summit was concerned. And I would like to remind all of you what our late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi said that poverty is the greatest polluter.

Question: This is about the G20. You mentioned the Prime Minister’s meetings which have been scheduled. Has any meeting been sought by either side between the Prime Minister and the President of the US, and the Chinese Head of State?
Official Spokesperson: As regards the Chinese, there is a BRICS leaders meeting. So, President Hu Jintao will be present there and he will participate in that meeting in Los Cabos. There are no other meetings with the President of the United States as of now under consideration.

I may just add one last point. I had mentioned these meetings, these were for Los Cabos. Maybe I should share with you the meetings that the Prime Minister will have bilaterally in Rio. These are: with the Prime Minister of Nepal Mr. Baburam Bhattarai; with the President of Sri Lanka Mr. Mahinda Rajapakse; Mr. Yayi Boni, the President of the Republic of Benin, who is the Chair of the African Union. In addition, the Prime Minister will also meet former President of Brazil Mr. Lula. We are also working on two other meetings. That will perhaps be worked out during the course of next few days. At this stage we are still trying to schedule these meetings.

That is all that we have for you today. Thank you very much.

(Concluded)

New delhi
June 15, 2012



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