New Delhi, August 16: India is set to host the 12th BRICS Environmental Ministers Meeting on August 18 in New Delhi. Prior to this, a meeting of senior officials from the BRICS Environmental Working Group and the Contact Group on Climate Change and Sustainable Development will take place on August 17. This event aligns with India’s BRICS presidency theme of “Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Building for Sustainable Development.”
According to an official statement released on Sunday, the meeting will be chaired by Bhupender Yadav, the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change. It will serve as a platform for ministers, senior officials, policymakers, and experts from member countries to engage in meaningful discussions, build consensus, and strengthen cooperation in the environmental sector.
The statement highlighted that the first day will feature a senior officials’ meeting, which will include an inaugural session and discussions on the priorities of the BRICS Environmental Working Group and the Contact Group on Climate Change and Sustainable Development.
The second day will conclude with deliberations on a results document at the ministerial level, emphasizing the collective commitment of BRICS member countries to environmental cooperation and sustainable development through thematic discussions. Under India’s presidency, four priority areas have been identified for focused activities within the BRICS Environmental Working Group.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has initiated discussions and dialogues through several virtual meetings, technical sessions, webinars, and consultations from March to July as part of its BRICS 2026 presidency. This includes discussions on resource efficiency and circular economy, as well as linking carbon markets with targets. Additionally, webinars have been held on integrated approaches to land degradation, desertification, drought, and disaster management. These discussions have provided a crucial platform for building consensus and laying the groundwork for face-to-face talks in New Delhi on August 17-18.
The BRICS Environmental Working Group (EWG) was established during the first BRICS Environmental Ministers Meeting held in Moscow in 2015. It was envisioned as a platform to address fundamental environmental priorities for BRICS, facilitate the exchange of experiences, share best practices, and strengthen collective action among BRICS member countries.
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