By IANS,
Washington : The United States Monday assured representatives from 16 other major world economies, including India, that Washington no longer doubts the urgency or magnitude of the climate change problem.
The US is fully engaged and moving quickly to address global warming, said Secretary of State Hillary Clinton opening the first preparatory session of the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate Change announced in March by President Barack Obama.
She cited the recent finding by the US Environmental Protection Agency that six greenhouse gases pose threats to human health and welfare as a sign that the Obama administration was taking action.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s special envoy on climate change issues, Shyam Saran is leading the Indian delegation to the gathering.
This is expected to be the first of three preparatory sessions that will support a Major Economies Forum leaders’ meeting hosted by Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi in LaMaddalena, Italy, in July 2009.
The aim is to work towards a successful new international agreement to curb climate-changing pollution. It would also advance the exploration of concrete initiatives and joint ventures that increase the supply of clean energy while cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
Besides India the other 16 major economies participating in the forum are: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, the European Union, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States.