Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) – On 3 September, on the initiative of the Minister of the Environment of Japan S. Koizumi, an international virtual ministerial meeting was held to exchange experience on combating climate change and protecting the environment during the recovery from the pandemic.

The meeting was attended by almost 50 ministers of the environment from 96 countries, as well as representatives of international and non-governmental organizations.

Opening the event, S. Koizumi stressed that today, in many cases, state aid has become a “life buoy” for “dirty” energy. Since the start of the pandemic, G20 governments have pledged US$ 204 billion to support fossil fuels. According to the Energy Policy Tracker, this is 52% of government money allocated to the energy sector, compared to 35% for clean energy.

In this regard, the Japanese minister proposed to launch an online platform for the so-called. “Platform for Redesign 2020”, which will provide information on the policies and actions of countries on climate and the environment in the context of recovery from the pandemic.

Common themes in ministerial speeches included:

a) electrification of transport; b) introduction of renewable energy sources; c) measures to improve energy efficiency, etc.

Chairman of the meeting, UN Special Adviser on Combating Climate Change S. Hart noted that "there is widespread support for international cooperation and solidarity in the fight against COVID-19 and the climate crisis."

In turn, Vice-President of the European Commission F. Timmermans told the meeting participants that "post-pandemic recovery will be green, otherwise it will not be appropriate." According to him, the EU has pledged to provide half a trillion euros to support the climate agenda.

In a statement, China’s Minister of the Environment Zhao Yingmin presented new investment recommendations to support green industries, including accelerating the development of renewable energy and circular economy projects.

German Environment Minister S. Schulze promised that the EU will agree on a climate plan until 2030 during Berlin’s presidency of the European Council.

In general, the leading countries of the world are paying special attention to the "green" plan for economic recovery after the pandemic. The participants in the meeting expressed the hope that this initiative will spur more action ahead of the international climate conference in the UK in 2021.