On 20 May 2022, as the BRICS presidency, China successfully hosted the 8th BRICS Environment Ministers Meeting online with the theme of “Join Hands to Facilitate Green and Low-carbon Development”. Mr. Huang Runqiu, Minister of Ecology and Environment of China, presided over the meeting and delivered an opening speech and a keynote address.  Environment ministers from all other BRICS countries attended the meeting and delivered remarks including Ms. Barbara Creecy, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment of South Africa, Mr. Marcus Paranaguá, Secretary of Climate and International Relations of Brazil, Mr. Alexander Kozlov, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of Russian, and Mr. Bhupender Yadav, Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of India.

Huang Runqiu recalled the progress made since the first BRICS Environment Ministers Meeting held in 2015, which has become an important platform for BRICS countries to jointly seek solutions to improve environmental governance and tackle global environmental challenges. BRICS environmental cooperation has become a significant  and integral part of the international process of advancing global ecological and environmental protection. Adhering to the guiding principles of the leaders’ summits, BRICS environmental authorities have always been deepening practical cooperation by enhancing mutual learning, exchanges and dialogues.

Huang Runqiu remarked that the world is now undergoing momentous changes compounded by a pandemic unseen in a century, and new risks and challenges have emerged in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.There is a need to address the global challenges of climate change and environment, and a consensus of the international community to work together to promote green and low-carbon development as well. In the new circumstances, BRICS countries should act closely to deepen environmental cooperation with prominent BRICS features and inject new impetus for green and low-carbon development worldwide. Concerted efforts should also be made to contribute to the attainment of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, and building a community with a shared future for mankind, as well as a clean and beautiful world.