Q: Sir, also the fact that you are in Gujarat, you have seen some of the initiatives. Mr Javadekar in fact had the ministry renamed climate change as well: big commitment by India, a big conference later this year in Paris. Are you hoping India is going to play a bigger role, sir?
SG: Thank you, first of all, I’d like to thank the leadership of Prime Minister Modi and the Environment Minister Javadekar. I count on the continuing leadership role of India in our ongoing efforts to address climate change issues. Climate change is a defining issue of our times, and I am encouraged by such a strong commitment of the Indian government under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi. I have seen it for myself when I was in Gujarat, while attending the Vibrant Gujarat Summit meeting. What I saw – the efforts and initiative of Canal Top Solar Power Plant – this [is] innovative [inaudible]. We need to use all innovative technologies. The effort to enhance energy and provide renewable energy in Indian energy policy mix is a very important one. And, the 100 Smart Cities initiative by the Indian government is also something very important. I hope many countries in the world will emulate such leadership initiative of India. At the same time I expect, as one of the most critically important Member States of the UN, and one of the fastest growing economies, India should lead this campaign to address climate change so that we will be able to have a universal and meaningful climate change agreement in Paris in December. This is a moral and political responsibility. Look at all these young people who are expecting, looking to leaders to make a sustainable future for their future. Nature does not wait for us. Nature does not negotiate with us. It is us, human beings, who have to care [for] our planet earth – the only planet earth which we have – to make all our generations to come environmentally sustainable.
Thank you. Dhanyavaad.