India, Australia to work for comprehensive outcome at Copenhagen Climate Change conference

New Delhi, Nov.13 (ANI): India and Australia have reiterated their determination and committment to work for comprehensive outcome at Copenhagen Climate Change conference to be held next month.

Describing energy security and climate change as serious challenges facing the international community, the Prime Ministers' of the two countries-Dr. Manmohan Singh and Kevin Rudd-said that the climate change conference outcome must reflect the principles and provisions of the UNFCCC and the Bali Action Plan.

According to a joint statement issued after the delegation-level meeting held at Hyderabad House here on Thursday evening, Mr. Rudd noted India's plans to meet its future energy requirements by exploring and developing all sources of energy, including nuclear, renewable and non-conventional resources.

Both sides also recognized the benefits of enhancing bilateral commercial exchanges of renewable and non-renewable energy resources.

The two Prime Ministers agreed that energy security concerns are best met by reconciling the long-term interests of both energy producing and energy consuming countries through a truly open and competitive energy market.

Both sides also expressed their willingness to join efforts which promote a cooperative response to any global energy crisis, noting the important role of open and transparent energy trade and investment markets.

Both Dr. Singh and Prime Minister Rudd agreed that meaningful progress in the areas of energy security and climate change should be made through national, bilateral and multilateral efforts in a manner that does not limit the possibilities of accelerated economic and social development.

The leaders agreed to work to address these global challenges.

Both leaders stressed the determination of Australia and India to work together to achieve a comprehensive, fair and effective outcome at Copenhagen, with the involvement of all countries in line with their common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.

In developing a global response to climate change, Dr. Singh and Rudd agreed to engage constructively with each other, and with other countries, including under the UNFCCC and in other multilateral fora such as the East Asia Summit (EAS) and the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate (APP).

Practical collaboration by Indian and Australian agencies is continuing to meet the challenge of climate change, including under the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate.

According to the joint statement, the Australian Government will provide Australian dollars one million (4.315 crore rupees) to support a joint solar cooling and mini-grids project being undertaken by India's The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).

The Prime Ministers' noted the positive contribution being made by the Global Carbon Capture and Storage Institute (GCCSI). An International Advisory Panel, which includes a TERI representative, will play a key role in guiding the work of the GCCSI.

Both agreed that India and Australia are faced by the imperative of managing scarce water resources.

Dr. Singh and Mr. Rudd welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in the Field of Water Resource Management.

Mr. Rudd also announced Australia would devote A$20 million in funding over five years under the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research for joint research in dry-land agriculture in India.(ANI)