Bangladesh has particular role in 3 areas: Dickson

British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Robert Chatterton Dickson on Wednesday emphasised the need for urgent climate action, pinpointing that there are three areas where Bangladesh has a particular role to play at COP26.

Mentioning that the world has a lot to learn from Bangladesh, he said this is the last opportunity to avoid dangerous climate change and secure a brighter future for everyone on the planet.

The UK will host the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow on October 31- November 12.

While speaking at DCAB Talk, the High Commissioner said he would bid farewell to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on her departure for the UK for COP26 and other bilateral meetings.

DCAB (Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh) hosted the event. DCAB President Pantho Rahaman and its General Secretary AKM Moinuddin also spoke at the event.

The High Commissioner said there are three areas where Bangladesh had a particular role to play at COP26.

First, he said, as a leader on climate adaptation and a country highly vulnerable to climate change, Bangladesh could make the moral case for increased investment in adaptation as well as offering its practical experience as one of the founding members of the Adaptation Action Coalition, which puts a particular emphasis on the locally-led adaptation on the ground.

Secondly, Dickson said, Bangladesh could show leadership on mitigation by publishing an ambitious nationally determined contribution (NDC).

The High Commissioner commended the radical transformation of Bangladesh’s forward energy plans, including the removal of significant elements of coal-fired power from the plans that the government has to generate the electricity that Bangladesh needs to power its economic growth.

Third, the High Commissioner said, Bangladesh had a particular role to play at COP26 through the Prime Minister’s role as Chair of the Climate Vulnerable Forum, which brings together 48 climate vulnerable countries.

Bangladesh’s international leadership will be important in ensuring sufficient pressure is applied to the big emitters by the climate-vulnerable to reach the ambitious global deal that will be needed, he said.