Home ›› 18 Nov 2021 ›› Front
Developed nations did not keep promises they previously made in Paris Agreement 2015, however, Bangladesh’s participation in the COP26 was crucial for protecting the interest of this country and other members of Climate Vulnerable Forum, said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Addressing a press conference in Ganabhaban following her 14-day official visit to the United Kingdom and France, she added, “Although we, the climate vulnerable countries, did not get what we expected, the UN Climate Change Conference delivered many positive things.”
The Paris Agreement is the first-ever universal, legally binding global climate change agreement, adopted at the Paris climate conference (COP21) in December 2015.
In that climate conference, developed countries committed to provide $100 billion per year to climate vulnerable countries as support for mitigating and adapting to the impacts of climate change.
Sheikh Hasina said the industrialised countries might have failed to keep their commitment because of economic vulnerability triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Consensus for climate finance an achievement
Sheikh Hasina said the global leaders’ consensus over the mitigation and adaptation of climate change effects was a significant achievement in the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties in Glasgow, Scotland.
“We have discussed trade and investment, vaccine diplomacy, the Rohingya crisis and other bilateral issues with global leaders,” she said.
The prime minister added, “I believe that the Dhaka-Glasgow Declaration, adopted by the heads of the government and state of the 48 most climate vulnerable countries and led by Bangladesh in the just-concluded COP26 Summit, was an outcome of the leading role played by our country in climate diplomacy.”
She said a major feat of the COP26 is that heads of the state and government of the world agreed to further accelerate the climate funding process, including allocation of $100 billion every year keeping consistency with Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals.
“A total of 141 countries, including Bangladesh, pledged to check all kinds of deforestation by 2030,” Sheikh Hasina added.
The prime minister said she attended six multilateral and five bilateral meetings in the main part of COP26 World Leaders’ Summit and side events in the span of two-days.
She said in the post-Covid world, as the incumbent Chair of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF), an organisation of 48 countries, her participation in the COP26 was very important for protecting the interests of Bangladesh and CVF member countries.
Sheikh Hasina said she focused on steps taken by Bangladesh in facing climate change challenges and what kinds of decisions should be taken in the COP26 to implement the goals of the Paris Agreement.
Bangladesh a victim, not a polluter
Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh is not a polluter country, but one of the worst victims of climate change. While asked about the development projects, she replied that the under-construction 100 economic zones are being built to stop all sorts of pollution from industries.
“Economic zones will ensure better facilities for producers as well as will help to check pollution,” she said, adding that better waste management will reduce pollution, while plantations will help keep the environment cleaner.
Sheikh Hasina said that her party Awami League has been working for saving the environment since 1984 as they have started a massive tree plantation campaign across the country.
Tk 53,000cr subsidies for power
Sheikh Hasina said the government is providing Tk 53,000 crore subsidies in the power and agricultural sector, including Tk 23,000 crore for diesel alone. She added that Bangladesh increased fuel prices as it has increased in the global market.
“How many subsidies can we give? If the government keeps up subsidies no development will be possible,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said that after discussion, a reasonable transport fare was set and the government is working to keep the commodity prices under control.
Govt supporting startups
Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh is on its way to achieve SDG goals by 2030 and will be a developed country by 2041. She added that to achieve the target of becoming a developed country, the government is working to create entrepreneurs so that they can create jobs for others.
The prime minister said the government is training them so that they could earn foreign currency while staying at home. Many youths have been working as freelancers. “Learning and Earning is our motto, she said.
Sheikh Hasina said the government is committed to ensure food safety for everyone and to continue economic and infrastructural development of the country. “When many developed countries faced difficulties during the Covid-19 crisis, economic activities in Bangladesh went smoothly,” she said.
She added that the government provides subsidies for businesses, farming and other sectors. “If the government provides even more subsidies, it will hamper the development activities.”
Responding to a query, the prime minister said the price of essentials will be kept under control even after price hike of fuel.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister and Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, Education Minister and Awami League Joint General Secretary Dr Dipu Moni, and Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin were present at the event among others.
