Panaji, Sep 16 (IANS) The Environment Ministers of BRICS nations on Friday agreed on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and announced the setting up of a joint working group to institutionalise their mutual cooperation on environment-related issues.

"The areas agreed for mutual cooperation are abatement and control of air and water pollution, efficient management of liquid and solid waste, climate change and conservation of bio-diversity," Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave announced at a press conference here.

"There was some agreement on areas such as air quality, water management and solid waste management in the meeting," he said.

The ministerial declaration highlights key agreements, which were adopted with mutual consensus.

BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) nations called upon the developed countries to honour their commitments relating to means of implementation and facilitate its operationalisation, with a clear road map for the successful achievement of various global environmental agreements and Sustainable Development Goals, according to an official statement released by the Environment Ministry.

"We have resolved to set up a platform for innovations, knowledge sharing and capacity building including a common website, network of technical institutions and undertake joint projects in areas of mutual interest," Dave said.

The Minister particularly emphasised the need to preserve water bodies.

He also said that the choices made by the BRICS, have a global significance as these five countries together block accounts for 42 per cent of global population, 30 per cent of total world's territory and about 22 per cent of world's total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and have a rich bio-diversity and natural capital.

The BRICS nations also reaffirmed their commitment to the Principles of Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, 1992 including Equity and Common But Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR).