Iran, Indonesia seek closer environmental cooperation at BRICS meeting
Iran and Indonesia agreed to foster environmental cooperation, including on biodiversity, waste management, climate change and marine ecosystems, during a meeting between their environmental officials in New Delhi, India, IRNA reported on Wednesday.
Head of Iran’s Department of Environment Shina Ansari met Indonesian Environment Minister Mohammad Jumhur Hidayat on the sidelines of the 12th BRICS Environment Ministers’ Meeting which was held Tuesday.
Ansari pointed to the two countries’ shared environmental potential and called for stronger bilateral cooperation, the exchange of experience and technical knowledge, and expanded expert-level cooperation.
She stressed the importance of protecting biodiversity and natural habitats, forests, water resources and marine ecosystems, as well as tackling climate change and managing waste. She called for the two countries to share experience in these areas.
Hidayat also called for greater specialised and technical environmental cooperation between Iran and Indonesia.
Referring to Indonesia’s efforts to tackle plastic pollution, he stressed the importance of cooperation and consensus among countries on practical waste-management mechanisms, particularly in coastal areas.
The two sides also agreed to keep up consultations and use multilateral mechanisms, particularly BRICS, to expand environmental cooperation.
The BRICS meeting was held under the slogan “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”.
Promoting sustainable lifestyles, forest protection and disaster resilience, the circular economy, and climate change adaptation were the four main areas of environmental discussions at the meeting.
BRICS ministers, senior officials and policymakers discussed ways to strengthen environmental cooperation, exchange experience and develop common positions aimed at achieving sustainable development and improving countries’ resilience.