During the course of his official state visit to India, German Federal President, Horst Köhler met the participants of the 3rd Indo-German Conference on Research for Sustainability in New Delhi, and displayed great interest in this type of cooperation. Water and Waste Management were the central themes of the 3rd Indo-German Conference on Research for Sustainability, which was jointly convened by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), and the Department of Science and Research (DST) on 3 and 4 February in New Delhi.
Experts also shared their experiences in the field of Waste Management. Discussions revealed that in India, only about 20% of waste is recycled or reutilised, while Germany is approaching 100%. The government of India would like to see waste utilized as a resource and a source of energy in the future. In addition to technological and social issues, there are questions regarding the financing of Waste and Water Management.
Over a period of two days, the 65 researchers and experts from both countries exchanged their knowledge and experience. This will allow the possibility of future joint research projects. German researchers and industry groups can become leading technology partners of India through their past approaches to problems such as water supply or waste management.
The conference took place as a part of BMBF’s international dialogue initiative, “Science for Sustainability.” The BMBF carries out the initiative with the following emerging economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
Results and further information can be found at: www.dialogue4s.de/en/288.php
The conference was co-organized by IIT Delhi, NEERI, the International Bureau of BMBF and the United Nations University Vice Rectorate in Europe.
Source: PD Dr. Lothar Mennicken, International Bureau of the BMBF, Bonn