Antalya, Türkiye: India has reaffirmed its commitment to climate multilateralism and called for a fair, equitable and ambitious outcome at the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), being held in Antalya, Türkiye.
Delivering India’s opening statement, Narendra Bhooshan, Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, emphasised the principles of equity and Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC).
He also thanked Türkiye and Australia for their leadership of COP31 and expressed India’s support for the positions presented by the G77 and China, Like-Minded Developing Countries (LMDC) and BASIC groupings.
India Stresses Climate Finance Obligations Under Paris Agreement
Highlighting the importance of financial support for developing countries, India said public finance from developed nations remains essential to accelerating climate action and strengthening adaptation efforts.
India specifically emphasised Article 9.1 of the Paris Agreement, which establishes the obligation of developed countries to provide financial resources to developing countries.
The key concerns highlighted by India include:
- Climate finance: Developed countries must fulfil their financial commitments to support climate action in developing nations.
- Public funding: Public finance remains central to mobilising resources for climate action.
- Adaptation finance: Financial support must be strengthened to address the vulnerabilities of developing countries.
Equity and Just Transition Central to Climate Action
India highlighted the growing urgency of equitable climate action amid the increasing risk of global warming crossing the 1.5°C threshold.
It stressed that equity must guide international climate efforts to ensure that no country or community is left behind.
India also underlined that just transition and adaptation remain significant challenges for the Global South, where climate action is closely linked to development priorities and people’s well-being.
The country reiterated its commitment to contributing its fair share to global climate action while continuing to pursue its own development objectives.
India Backs Dialogue, Consensus and Action at COP31
India welcomed the COP31 Presidency’s vision of a ‘COP of Implementation’, guided by three principles: Dialogue, Consensus and Action.
It highlighted the importance of these principles in translating international climate commitments into tangible progress:
- Dialogue builds trust among participating countries.
- Consensus ensures collective ownership of decisions.
- Action converts commitments into progress on the ground.
India also reaffirmed its faith in the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement as inclusive platforms where every country has a voice.
Concluding its opening statement, India expressed its readiness to work constructively with all participating countries towards a fair, equitable and ambitious outcome at COP31.
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