India, Germany exchange JDIs to battle air pollution

The forum, centered on the theme 'Cleaner Air, Greener Economy', focused on challenges, solutions and necessary framework conditions of air pollution control, waste management and circular economy as well as implementation of NDCs and SDGs based on Paris Agreement and Agenda 2030 of UN respectively, as recently India and Germany agreed that the countries will focus their bilateral economic cooperation, on environment along with the cooperate on water and waste management.

Speaking at the forum, Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan remarked that the Indo-German bilateral relations were founded on common democratic principles and today, Germany was amongst India's most important partners. both bilaterally and in the global context.

“India’s development trajectory focuses on 5 Ps that is People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnership. The bilateral cooperation in the future should focus on marine litter, SDG and NDC implementation, climate change adaptation and forestry,” he asserted.

Meanwhile, the Federal Environment Minister of Germany, Svenja Schulze, said that the Government, Industry and Society needs to do more as progress and implementation of 2030 Agenda was slow and the window of opportunity for low carbon economy has been dwindling.

She further congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi for cooperating with the UNEP and addressing plastic pollution during the World Environment Day, this year, which was hosted by India.