New Delhi: India has reaffirmed its commitment to climate multilateralism, equity and the principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities, calling for a fair, equitable and ambitious outcome at the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Antalya, Türkiye.
Delivering India’s opening statement at COP31, Narendra Bhooshan, Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, expressed gratitude to Türkiye and Australia for their leadership of the conference.
He appreciated the efforts of all Parties and negotiating groups towards strengthening climate multilateralism and stated that India aligned itself with the positions expressed by G77 and China, the Like-Minded Developing Countries and BASIC.
Emphasising the importance of international cooperation, India highlighted that the UNFCCC and its Paris Agreement remain the most inclusive platforms for addressing climate change, ensuring that every country has a voice.
India reiterated its confidence in this multilateral process, which is founded on equity and the principle of CBDR-RC, according to an official press release.
Welcoming the Presidency’s vision of a ‘COP of Implementation’, guided by Dialogue, Consensus and Action, India observed that dialogue builds trust, consensus ensures collective ownership of outcomes, and action translates commitments into tangible progress on the ground.
Highlighting the increasing challenges associated with the prospect of global warming crossing the 1.5°C threshold, India stressed the urgent need to uphold equity so that no country or community is left behind in collective efforts to tackle climate change.
India reiterated its commitment to making a fair contribution to global climate action while safeguarding the development and well-being of its people.
It also pointed out that just transition and addressing adaptation needs remain major challenges, particularly for countries in the Global South, where these concerns are closely linked to broader development challenges.
On climate finance, India emphasised that public financial support from developed countries remains essential for catalysing climate action in developing nations and strengthening adaptation finance to address their vulnerabilities.
It also underscored the fundamental importance of Article 9.1 of the Paris Agreement, which establishes the obligation of developed countries to provide financial resources to developing countries.
Reaffirming its constructive engagement at COP31, India said it would work with all Parties towards securing a fair, equitable and ambitious outcome.
