National
PM Sheikh Hasina Urges Global Action for Climate Resilience
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged for increasing adaptive capacity and strengthening resilience to build a safe and beautiful world for future generations while inaugurating the four-day UN Climate Adaptation Conference National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Expo 2024 at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC).
“We aim to build a safe and beautiful world for future generations. Achieving this goal requires increasing adaptive capacity, strengthening resilience, and undertaking coordinated risk reduction initiatives,” she said.
In order to achieve this goal, she put forward six steps.
First, major carbon-emitting countries must take effective action to reduce their emissions to limit global temperature rise to within 1.5 degrees Celsius;
Second, commitments by developed countries to an annual climate fund of $100 billion must be met. This fund must be equally distributed between adaptation and mitigation.
Third, developed countries must ensure efficient energy solutions and the transfer of technologies to developing countries.
Fourth, during the transition to renewable energy, the development priorities of the countries involved should be taken into account based on their loss and damage;
Fifth, all countries must share the responsibility for the rehabilitation of people displaced by sea-level rise, salinity, river erosion, floods, and droughts.
Finally, major economies must work globally in partnership with all stakeholders to ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Secretary Farhina Ahmed, UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis, executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Simon Steele and Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury were among others also spoke at the programme.
The prime minister said that although Bangladesh’s contribution to global carbon emissions is less than 0.48 percent, it is one of the most affected and vulnerable countries to its negative impact.
“These adverse effects of climate change threaten our potential development and economic prosperity. Continued global warming is raising sea levels,” she said.
As a result, she mentioned, a large swath of southwestern Bangladesh, which comprises about 12–17 percent of the country’s total area, is at risk of submergence by the end of this century.
“We have made the call to the developed world to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina mentioned that in 2015, Bangladesh formulated the Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and submitted it to the UNFCCC in 2021 after updating.
In the document, she said, Bangladesh set an unconditional 6.73 percent and a conditional 15.12greenhouse gas emission reduction target.
She also mentioned that Bangladesh has reduced the use of fossil fuels and increased the use of renewable energy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and in 2023 it formulated the Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan (MCPP), which aims to reach from vulnerability to resilience to prosperity while combating the adverse impacts of climate change.
Besides, she said in the adaptation and mitigation programs of the MCPP, emphasis has been laid on the spontaneous participation of local people and stakeholders and nature-based solutions.
“Bangladesh has already formulated the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) for 2022–2050 and submitted it to the UNFCCC in October 2022. In this plan, 113 priority programs have been identified in 8 sectors across 11 climate risk areas,” she said.
She stated that for this purpose Bangladesh needs approximately 230 billion US dollars to implement the action plans adopted in the NAP over the next 27 years.
“I urge the rich countries and the international community to provide specific funds and additional financial resources.”
The prime minister said that developed countries are contributing more to global warming through massive carbon emissions.
“It is their moral responsibility to protect the people affected by climate change. During our tenure as the chair of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF), we repeatedly called for implementing the pledge of providing $100 billion per year by developed countries for adaptation and mitigation activities. I hope the developed countries will abide by their promises.”
She also urged the international community and wealthy nations to continue providing financial, scientific, and technical assistance to Bangladesh and other countries facing threats from the adverse impacts of climate change, even after graduation to developing countries.
According to the COP-26 decision, she said, developed countries should double their adaptation financing by 2025 compared to 2019. She urged rich countries to fulfil this commitment.
“It should be ensured that countries that have already formulated NAPs can easily and quickly access financial support from all available sources, including the UNFCCC, to implement their NAPs.”
PM Hasina said that Bangladesh is taking appropriate actions in adaptation and mitigation to reduce the potential damage caused by climate change.
“In this case, Bangladesh will take the necessary initiatives to access funding from the UNFCCC’s Loss and Damage Fund.”
She said that Bangladesh has always been working with the international community to combat the impacts of climate change.
Under the leadership of the prime minister’s office, she said, Bangladesh has already formed the “Bangladesh Climate Development Partnership (BCDP” with development partners where all parties have agreed on this.
She hoped that the BCDP will significantly contribute to implementing the Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan, National Adaptation Plan, National Determined Contribution, and Vision 2041 of Bangladesh.
“Let’s work together to protect this planet more intensively,” she said.
From the programme, the prime minister also launched the Bangladesh Climate Development Partnership (BCDP).
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged mill and factory owners to prioritize the welfare of laborers by reducing their luxuries. Addressing a discussion at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre, she emphasized that laborers enable owners to lead lavish lives through their hard work.
She cautioned laborers against actions that could harm the factories providing them with employment opportunities. Sheikh Hasina noted that some individuals incite workers to protest unnecessarily, which ultimately damages both the workers’ interests and the country’s economy.
Highlighting the symbiotic relationship between owners and laborers, she stressed the need for increased industrial production for Bangladesh’s overall development. Sheikh Hasina encouraged both parties to approach her directly to resolve any issues, emphasizing her commitment to addressing their concerns.
She distributed financial assistance to labor families and attended a cultural program, accompanied by various dignitaries including State Minister for Labour and Employment, Md Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, and representatives from international organizations.
Sheikh Hasina proudly described her government as pro-labor, citing initiatives such as wage increases, workplace safety measures, childcare facilities, and maternity leave provisions. She highlighted the steady increase in workers’ salaries under her government’s tenure, affirming her party’s dedication to labor welfare.
Asserting Bangladesh’s commitment to international labor standards, she warned against any exploitation of workers and pledged to hold accountable those responsible for withholding fair wages.
The Prime Minister also outlined government efforts to boost education and employment opportunities, including free textbooks and vocational training programs. She mentioned the Karmasangsthan Bank, established to provide loans to youth entrepreneurs without collateral.
In summary, Sheikh Hasina’s government prioritizes labor welfare, fosters a conducive environment for economic growth, and remains vigilant against any exploitation of workers.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has issued a cautionary notice indicating that the current heatwave is anticipated to endure for 72 consecutive hours commencing Thursday morning.
The BMD attributes the prolonged discomfort to heightened moisture incursion, amplifying the oppressive conditions.
This advisory comes subsequent to prior warnings released on April 19th and April 22nd, underscoring the BMD’s ongoing vigilance and management of the adverse weather dynamics impacting the area.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (25 April) called for speaking out against all forms of aggression and atrocities, and say ‘no’ to wars.
“We must speak out against all forms of aggression and atrocities, and say ‘no’ to wars,” she said adding that Bangladesh supports the UN Secretary General’s ‘New Agenda for Peace.
The prime minister was addressing the 80th Session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) held at the ESCAP Hall (2nd floor), United Nations Conference Center (UNCC) here.
She arrived in Bangkok on Wednesday on a six-day official visit to Thailand.
The PM said the pre-condition for sustainable development is lasting peace and security.
“We must settle regional disputes and tension through dialogue. Our mutual respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity must remain paramount,” she said.
Hasina called upon the Asia-Pacific region, especially ASEAN, to redouble their efforts to end Rohingya crisis as all efforts at regional connectivity, integration, and prosperity will continue to be marked by a missing puzzle without it.
“The origin of their crisis has been in Myanmar, and its solution also lies in Myanmar,” she declared.
“As long as that solution remains out of reach, all our efforts at regional connectivity, integration, and prosperity will continue to be marked by a missing puzzle. Let us redouble our efforts to put that puzzle back in place,” she said.
She said that in August 2017, when thousands of Rohingya men, women, and children from Myanmar fled to Bangladesh, Bangladesh offered them temporary shelter.
“With an ever growing population, this has now become one of the largest humanitarian situations in the world,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said that In the backdrop of ongoing armed conflicts in Myanmar, the Rohingya repatriation process is also getting delayed.
“This is creating serious security risks within and beyond our territories,” she said.
She called upon the Asia-Pacific region, especially ASEAN, to play a proactive role in resolving the volatile situation in Myanmar.
“We must ensure that the Rohingya can go back home in safety and dignity at the earliest possible,” she said.
The prime minister said that the Asia-Pacific region must stand united against its common enemies of poverty and hunger.
She said Bangladesh has reduced poverty from 41.51 percent to 18.7 percent between 2006 and 2022.
It also reduced extreme poverty from 25.1 to 5.6 percent during the same period.
“We remain confident about eradicating extreme poverty by 2030,” she said.
She mentioned that Bangladesh has made notable progress on food security, with focused interventions on maternal and child nutrition.
“Our current priority is to address inequalities through income distribution, asset ownership, and social protection,” she said.
The prime minister said that Asia-Pacific region must put up a united front in tackling the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, and transboundary pollution.
“We need to push for ambitious climate financing goals beyond 2025 at COP-29. We need to cooperate on cross-border water management and air quality improvement. We must all prepare for growing extreme weather events,” she said.
In this connection, she suggested looking into Bangladesh’s experience in disaster risk reduction.
“We appreciate UN-ESCAP’s support in improving our early warning capabilities,” she added.
Briefly describing various development programmes and achievements of her govebrment, the prime minister said that much of the development gains are affected by climate impacts.
“As a low-lying delta, Bangladesh has no option but to invest heavily in climate resilience,” she said.
She mentioned that Bangladesh is already recognised as a global leader in climate adaptation.
“We are happy to share our traditional and innovative solutions with other vulnerable countries,” she said.
She said that Bangladesh has urged developed and emerging economies in the region to raise their time-bound emission reduction targets.
“For economies in transition, it is important to have a just energy transition.”
In Bangladesh, she said, “we are working on long-term energy security with a sound mix of clean and renewable energy.”
“We shall continue to do our part in pursuing a circular and low-carbon economic growth pathway.”
She underscored the need for increased and easy access to financing and technology from both the public and private sectors.
“I invite UN-ESCAP to help build the capacity of climate-vulnerable countries to mobilise adequate international climate financing.”
PM Hasina said that Bangladesh now provides critical links to the Trans-Asian Highway and Railway networks.
“Our physical and digital infrastructures are being developed to foster regional trade and connectivity.”
She said Bangladesh offers access to the Bay of Bengal for land-locked territories in its neighbourhood.
“We stand ready to work together with all regional partners through mutual understanding and cooperation,” said the prime minister.
