Dhaka: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that Bangladesh has taken a long-term program to combat the effects of climate change.
He said this in a meeting with the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Simon Steel at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center in the capital on Monday (April 22).
This was informed in a notification sent by the press wing of the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister said that Bangladesh has adopted a long-term program to combat the effects of climate change.
Sheikh Hasina said that due to the adverse effects of climate change, Bangladesh often faces various types of cyclones, heavy rains and heat waves.
He said, we are promoting social forestry movement for afforestation, formed 84 thousand volunteers and constructed multi-purpose cyclone shelters.
The Prime Minister said that Bangladeshi researchers have developed salinity, flood and drought resistant rice varieties.
Noting that tree plantation program will start from next June during the monsoon season across the country, Sheikh Hasina said that her party, Awami League, is the pioneer of this tree planting movement.
The Prime Minister mentioned that Bangladesh has formed the Bangladesh Climate Development Partnership (BCDP) to coordinate with international stakeholders to address the impact of climate change in their global agenda.
He said the BCDP will work with stakeholders, developed countries and international organizations and fund programs to mitigate climate change issues.
Sheikh Hasina briefed Bangladesh’s various adaptation and mitigation programs including the Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan and the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) to combat the adverse effects of climate change.
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Executive Secretary Simon Steel praised Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for setting up the climate fund on her own initiative.
Simon Steele said Bangladesh is not only working to combat the harmful effects of climate change, but has adopted various social programs for adaptation and mitigation. These must be examples for the whole world.
He said, other countries of the world can adopt the experiences of Bangladesh in their own adaptation and mitigation plans to deal with the effects of climate change.
Simon said that Bangladesh is leaving its footprints on the issue of climate change not only in its own country but also in the whole world.
Appreciating Sheikh Hasina’s role on climate issues at international forums, UNFCCC Executive Secretary said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is the longest-serving leader of Bangladesh, who has attended various international forums and spoken on climate issues.
Simon Steele told the Prime Minister, “You can share your experience in dealing with the harmful effects of climate change in international forums to accelerate the movement on the issue of climate change.”
Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, among others were present during the meeting. Tofazzal Hossain Mia, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Gwen Lewis and Secretary for Environment, Forestry and Climate Change Dr. Farhina Ahmed.
Bangladesh Time: 2047 hours, April 22, 2024
MUM/MJF
