St. Petersburg 12 July : Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla who is leading an Indian Parliamentary Delegation to the 10th BRICS Parliamentary Forum currently underway in St. Petersburg, Russia addressed the plenary session on ‘The Role of parliaments in countering the fragmentation of the multilateral trade system and overcoming threats related to the consequences of global crisis’, today.
Speaking on this occasion, Lok Sabha Speaker stressed that sustainable development includes environmental protection. However, it was crucial to achieve this goal in an equitable manner considering countries’ varied economic development levels. Adding a word of caution, he stated that the trend of undertaking unilateral measures justified as environmental actions were impacting trade, violating WTO rules, and undermining international law, equity, and the principles of the UNFCCC and NDCs. Climate change mitigation requires substantial resources, which developing countries need for their development and thus adaptation remains a priority for India, which is committed to achieving its NDCs, he elaborated.
Emphasizing on fostering mutual understanding and sharing best practices among democratic institutions Shri Birla noted that parliaments play a crucial role in enacting legislation to protect financial and economic sovereignty and support the implementation of international recommendations. In the Indian context, he stated that Indian Parliament has actively participated in inter-parliamentary activities, advocating for a rules-based, non-discriminatory, fair, and transparent multilateral trading system centered on the WTO. He reiterated that the Indian Parliament remains committed to deepening engagement with parliamentarians from other countries.
Mentioning about India’s commitment to sustainable development, Shri Birla noted that with its low per capita energy usage and minimal contribution of just 4% to global cumulative emissions between 1850 and 2019, India has prioritized climate change adaptation over mitigation due to its vulnerability to climate effects. . The Lok Sabha Speaker stressed that India despite having resource limitations, has been consistent in taking strong actions toward environmental sustainability. He highlighted that India fully endorses sustainable development and embraces its responsibilities, drawing from a rich tradition of conservation and moderation. Through its NDC, India promotes a sustainable lifestyle via the LiFE initiative (“Life Style for Environment”) to combat climate change. India has surpassed its targets for reducing emissions intensity, increasing non-fossil fuel power capacity, and creating additional carbon sinks, as pledged to the UNFCCC. Climate-related issues should be addressed within the UNFCCC framework, felt Shri Birla.
Highlighting the need for reforms in global bodies, Shri Birla asserted that reforming global bodies to reflect contemporary realities is essential. He felt that the recent expansion of BRICS presented a unique opportunity in this regard and expressed his optimism that their collective efforts will position BRICS countries as a leading engine of global economic growth for years to come.
Recalling India’s stance taken at the WTO’s 13th Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi in February 2024, the Speaker emphasized the need to avoid fragmentation of the multilateral trading system and focus on trade-related issues. Introduction of non-trade topics like gender and MSMEs into WTO discussions , he felt ,could lead to greater fragmentation, as these issues are addressed by other relevant international organizations. The Lok Sabha Speaker also felt that several measures taken by developed countries were nullifying the balance of rights and obligations under multilateral environmental agreements which were in violation of the principles of equity and CBDR-RC. In fact, at CoP28 in Dubai, it was recognized that international cooperation is essential for sustainable economic growth and addressing climate change. He strongly asserted that measures to combat climate change should not be used to justify arbitrary trade restrictions.
Appreciating BRICS for providing a vital platform for promoting inter-Parliamentary dialogue and diplomacy among BRICS nations and enhancing the role of Parliaments in addressing contemporary issues, Shri Birla noted that BRICS countries represent about 42% of the global population, contribute nearly one-fourth of the world’s GDP, and account for over 16% of world trade. The Forum effectively unites countries from three continents with a shared commitment to growth and development, he added. He also noted that BRICS has the potential to address imbalances within global institutions, improve coordination between regional bodies, and create anti-crisis mechanisms through coordinated fiscal and monetary measures during economic downturns.
Shri Birla urged the participants that in face of global challenges of technological disruption and its impact on jobs and skills, it is imperative that we prioritize livelihood protection in both the short and medium term. He called for unity among the Member nations to navigate these challenges and work towards a sustainable and prosperous future for all.
BILATERAL WITH SPEAKER OF THE LOWER HOUSE OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION, DUMA
On the sidelines of the Forum, Shri Birla held a bilateral meeting with the Speaker of the Lower House of the Russian Federation, Duma , Mr. Vyacheslav Viktorovich Volodin on 11 July, 2024.
Commending his Russian counterpart on the seamless expansion of the BRICS organization especially with the addition of new member countries, Shri Birla expressed confidence that this would significantly enhance the effectiveness, allowing for advocacy of a stronger Global South. The discussions also emphasized the strong democratic systems of India and Russia underscoring the importance of inter-parliamentary cooperation. Shri Birla also announced plans to establish an India-Russia Parliamentary Friendship Group and expressed hope for further strengthening bilateral trade, defense, and cultural relations.
