WANA (Apr 03) – Sheena Ansari, Vice President and Head of Iran’s Department of Environment, and Marina Silva, Brazil’s Minister of the Environment, met on the sidelines of the 11th BRICS Environment Ministers’ Meeting in Brazil. They emphasized the need to strengthen environmental cooperation between the two countries and align their efforts to tackle global environmental challenges.

 

During the meeting, Ansari highlighted the long-standing relations between Iran and Brazil and stressed the importance of strategic collaboration in various environmental sectors.

 

She outlined key areas for cooperation, including forest conservation with the participation of local communities, combating climate change, expanding renewable energy, and protecting biodiversity.

 

Ansari also addressed the issue of plastic pollution, proposing the establishment of a global fund for managing plastic waste, which would place greater responsibility on developed nations.

 

Water resource management was another major topic of discussion. Given Iran’s ongoing water crisis and declining rainfall, Ansari welcomed Brazil’s expertise in water recycling and called for an exchange of technology and knowledge in this field.

 

She further underscored the importance of sharing experiences in protecting endangered species and mitigating the effects of climate change.

 

Brazil’s Minister of the Environment, Marina Silva, highlighted her country’s achievements in reducing deforestation, noting that Brazil had managed to cut deforestation by 45% over the past two years. She stated that the government is committed to achieving zero deforestation by 2030.

 

Silva emphasized that forests play a crucial role as massive carbon reserves and oxygen producers, contributing to global health. She expressed Brazil’s readiness to share its experiences in this area.

 

At the conclusion of the meeting, both parties stressed the necessity of strengthening multilateral cooperation through frameworks such as BRICS and COP 30. They expressed hope that the meeting would lead to effective actions and strong environmental declarations.

 

This meeting marks a significant milestone in Iran-Brazil environmental cooperation and reflects the shared commitment of both nations to environmental preservation and sustainable development.

 

The two-day BRICS Environment Ministers’ Summit is scheduled to take place on Wednesday and Thursday (April 3-4).