Bhutan, Maldives echo India on global climate change pact

Echoing India's stand, its neighbours Bhutan and Maldives Friday called for a "strong" agreement that is geared towards the needs of developing countries to adapt to climate change as well as pumps in funds in the global climate kitty.

"World needs to adopt a strong agreement... Include all elements on mitigation, adaptation and finance if you (the world) are looking for sustainable development.

"Richer countries have historical responsibility for climate change and they should commit to support the poor and vulnerable countries," Bhutanese Works and Human Settlement Minister Lyonpo Dorji Choden said at the 15th Delhi Sustainable Development Summit here.

"No matter what financial resources matter at COP 21 (the UN Climate Change Conference to be held in Paris later this year), there should be certainty on flow of funds," she added.

Extending support to India's pitch for transparency and accountability in the new climate agreement that will be hammered out in Paris, Maldives Minister of State for Environment Abdullahi Majeed said: "We are on the same page as India.

"What we are expecting is a credible and pioneering agreement that takes into account the needs of a developing countries most vulnerable to climate change.

"...That is why we make a pitch for keeping the global temperature rise below 1.5 degrees Celsius. Concurrent is the critical importance of the need for accountability and transparency in the new agreement (in Paris)," he added.