India Reaffirms Commitment to Climate Multilateralism at UNFCCC COP31

India has reaffirmed its commitment to climate multilateralism and the principles of Equity and Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC), calling for a fair, equitable and ambitious outcome at COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye.

Delivering India’s opening statement at the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Narendra Bhooshan expressed gratitude to Türkiye and Australia for their leadership of COP31.

He commended all parties and negotiating groups for their efforts to strengthen climate multilateralism and said India aligns with the statements made by the G77 and China, LMDC, and BASIC.

Emphasising the importance of multilateralism, India underlined that the UNFCCC and its Paris Agreement remain the most inclusive platforms where every country has a voice. India reaffirmed its faith in this process, rooted in equity and the principle of CBDR-RC.

Welcoming the Presidency’s vision of a ‘COP of Implementation’, guided by Dialogue, Consensus and Action, India noted that dialogue builds trust, consensus ensures collective ownership of outcomes, and action translates commitments into on-the-ground progress.

Highlighting the growing challenges of crossing 1.5°C warming, India stressed that equity has become particularly urgent to ensure no one is left behind in the collective effort to address climate change.

India reiterated its commitment to contributing its fair share to global climate action while pursuing the development and well-being of its people.

It also underscored that just transition and meeting adaptation needs remain significant challenges, particularly for the Global South, where these are closely intertwined with the challenge of development itself.

On climate finance, India emphasised that public finance from developed countries remains central to catalysing climate action in developing countries and strengthening adaptation finance flows to address their vulnerabilities.

It underscored the importance of Article 9.1 of the Paris Agreement, which obliges developed countries to provide financial resources to developing countries.

Reaffirming its constructive engagement at COP31, India said it would work with all Parties to achieve a fair, equitable, and ambitious outcome.