Why in News?

• The 29th BASIC Ministerial Meeting on Climate Change was held in Beijing, China.
• The countries include BASIC (Brazil, South Africa, India, China).

Important Commitments:

• BASIC Ministers expressed their concern for the global challenge of climate change and its adverse effects, and confirmed their commitments to multilateralism in order to address the issue and to foster climate resilience and promote greenhouse gas emissions reduction, low-carbon and sustainable development, with a view to collectively working towards preparedness of international community for the wellbeing of all.
• Ministers underscored that all parties should jointly defend the international system underpinned by the United Nations, in accordance with the principles of equity, Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC), in the light of different national circumstances.
• They felt that Unilateralism and protectionism undermine the open and free international trade system and the prospect of global economic development and growth, which will end up with damaging global efforts against climate change.
• It is imperative to focus on safeguarding the multilateral process and the fulfillment of commitments.
• The BASIC Ministers reaffirmed and emphasized the need for people’s participation and climate friendly lifestyles for addressing the challenge of climate change acknowledging that Paris Agreement embodies and calls for sustainable lifestyles and consumption patterns.

Contributions made by developed countries should be timely:

• Ministers underscored that as developing countries are the most adversely affected by climate change, adaptation is a key imperative but is neglected with imbalanced allocation of resources compared to mitigation.
• They reiterated that balanced allocation should be made for adaptation and mitigation in terms of support provided by developed countries, including through Green Climate Fund (GCF).
• The Group encouraged other fora, including the Global Commission on Adaptation to play their part in supporting developing countries on adaptation.
  BASIC countries have urged the developed countries to take urgent action to close gaps and provide support to developing nations as a part of the commitment under the Paris agreement on climate change.
• Ministers urged developed countries to propose the new collective quantified goal on finance as soon as possible, including detailed roadmap and timetable.

Assistance and Collaboration among BASIC Courtiers:

• They agreed to further strengthen the solidarity and cooperation among the four countries.
• They committed to jointly promote South-South cooperation, providing assistance as capabilities allow to enhance the capacities of other developing countries in addressing climate change.