changeadminIndia today delivered statements on behalf of the BASIC (Brazil, South Africa, India, and China) and the Like-Minded Developing Countries (LMDC) groups at the Opening Plenary of the UNFCCC CoP30 in Belém, Brazil.
The statement reiterated the central importance of equity, common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities (CBDR-RC), and the full and effective implementation of the Convention, its Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement.
India expressed full and unwavering support for multilateralism and international cooperation on climate change, particularly in the current geopolitical context. The statement acknowledged, with deep appreciation, the extensive and meticulous preparations and efforts that the Brazilian Presidency has invested in for CoP30.
Marking 10 years of the Paris Agreement, India highlighted that Climate Finance remains the key barrier to increased ambition. India called for:
- A clear and universally agreed definition of climate finance.
- Strengthened and scaled-up public finance flows for adaptation.
- Implementation of Article 9.1 of the Paris Agreement, reaffirming the legal obligation of developed countries to provide finance to developing countries.
India also noted that Adaptation Financing needs to exceed current flows by nearly 15 times, and significant gaps remain in doubling international public finance for adaptation by 2025.
India emphasised that adaptation is an urgent priority for billions of vulnerable people in developing countries who have contributed the least to global warming but stand to suffer the most from its impacts.
India called for a strong outcome on the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA), including agreement on a minimum set of indicators, though without any additional reporting requirements and with flexibility for countries based on their national circumstances. It supported advancing the UAE–Belém Work Programme and the launch of the Baku Adaptation Roadmap to ensure that no one is left behind.
India underlined the need for reliable, affordable and equitable access to Climate Technologies. It called for a strong outcome on the Technology Implementation Programme, emphasising that intellectual property and market barriers must not hinder technology transfer to developing nations.
India stated that the UNFCCC Just Transitions Work Programme must result in action-oriented institutional arrangements that ensure climate transitions across economies are rooted in equity and justice, narrow the development gap between the Global North and South, and leave no section of society behind.
India cautioned that unilateral climate-related trade measures risk becoming instruments of protectionism, contradict the spirit of Article 3.5 of the Convention, and undermine multilateral cooperation. Both BASIC and LMDC reaffirmed that the architecture of the Paris Agreement must not be altered, and that CBDR-RC remains the cornerstone of the global climate regime.
Speaking on behalf of BASIC and LMDC, India recalled the historical and ongoing responsibilities of developed nations. It was stressed that Developed countries must not only reach net-zero earlier to preserve equitable carbon space, but invest more in negative emissions technologies and, most importantly, fulfil their obligations on finance, technology transfer and capacity-building to developing countries.
Both statements reiterated that India, while affirming its support along with those of BASIC and LMDC partners for a successful COP-30, stated that it remains committed to a constructive and collaborative engagement to ensure a successful and balanced outcome at the Conference, in the overall interest of humanity and protection, preservation and conservation of Mother Earth.
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