New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will speak on the opening day of a two-day virtual summit to be hosted by US President Joe Biden on the climate crisis on April 22-23.
The US president has invited 40 world leaders, including Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, both of whom will also attend the summit.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the leaders will deliberate on how the world can align climate action with inclusive and resilient economic development while respecting national circumstances and sustainable development priorities.
It said Modi will make his remarks in the leaders’ session-I from 5.30 to 7.30 pm IST on Thursday on the theme, “Our collective sprint to 2030”.
“Nearly 40 other world leaders are participating in the summit. They will represent countries which are members of the Major Economies Forum (India is a member) and those vulnerable to climate change, among others,” the MEA said in a statement.
“The leaders will exchange views on climate change, enhancing climate actions, mobilising finance towards climate mitigation and adaptation, nature-based solutions, climate security as well as technological innovations for clean energy,” it added.
Climate change has been an area of focus for Biden. After taking charge as the president, Biden on January 20 announced the return of the United States to the Paris climate accord.
The virtual summit is part of a series of global meetings focussing on climate issues, being held in the run-up to the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in November.
Earlier this month, US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry visited India and discussed issues relating to climate, including the virtual summit, with Indian leaders.
The Indian leaders apprised him of the country’s efforts to meet the commitments under the Paris climate agreement and reduce emissions.
Xi to attend summit
At the invitation of Biden, President Xi will attend and deliver an “important speech” at the Leaders’ Summit on Climate by video link from Beijing, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on Wednesday.
It will be a key milestone on the road to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) this November in Glasgow, the statement said.
Chinese experts consider invitation to Xi for the summit as a positive signal for the China-US relationship, facing growing tensions on a number of issues like Xinjiang, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
The Chinese top leader’s attendance was confirmed just a day before the summit, and a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed he will be speaking at the summit, showing that the two countries are willing to take part in global efforts to address the climate issue despite tensions with the US, state-run Global Times daily reported.
Also read: India doesn’t have to match climate commitments expected of China. Modi must make it clear