Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav on Wednesday held a virtual meeting with French Ambassador Emmanuel Lenain to discuss issues relating to One Ocean Summit, Cooperation on Plastic Pollution, Global Treaty on Plastics, High Ambition Coalition on Biodiversity beyond National Jurisdiction and COP15.<br />''&nbsp;<br />''In the Meeting, Mr Yadav said that the One Ocean Summit will be an opportunity to gather political leaders and all stakeholders are ready to make a decisive contribution with bold, tangible and actionable initiatives and commitments. He said, India is fully determined to protect its maritime interests. Mr Yadav emphasized that India supports the maintenance of rule-based maritime systems, as mandated under the UN Convention on the Law of Seas, 1982. He also mentioned an announcement made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during World Environment Day 2018 for elimination of single-use plastics in India by 2022. The Minister also emphasized the urgent need for action to prevent and reduce marine litter, but stressed voluntary domestic action by countries.<br />''&nbsp;<br />''<span style="color: #222222;">Both sides also discussed in detail the issues concerning the High Ambition Coalition on Biodiversity beyond National Jurisdiction and how it should not undermine existing relevant legal instruments, frameworks and relevant global, regional and sectoral bodies. Both sides further discussed how COP 15 will help in developing a holistic Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, taking into account poverty eradication, means of implementation and resource mobilization. They also agreed to further strengthen activities in 2022 under the Indo-French Year of Environment.</span><br />
News On AIR | January 12, 2022 9:39 PM
Bhupender Yadav, French ambassador hold discussions to further strengthen activities in 2022 under Indo-French Year of Environment