Brundtland is one of the three special envoys appointed by Ban Ki-moon to consult with select global leaders on the subject, said an official handout yesterday.

The others are former president of Chile Dr Ricardo Largos Escobar and former foreign minister of South Korea Dr Han Seung-Soo.

The foreign adviser told Dr Brundtland that Bangladesh placed the highest priority on the subject. It is one of those countries likely to be hardest hit by global warming and consequent rise in the sea level, he said, adding that Bangladesh would welcome strong UN initiative in this regard.

Iftekhar Chowdhury said Bangladesh wholeheartedly endorsed the holding of a high level summit on climate change during the forthcoming UN General Assembly Session in New York.

He said Bangladesh would participate in that summit at the highest level and also in the preparatory process.

The foreign adviser suggested to Brundtland that the UN might think of creating a special fund to assist the developing coastal countries.

Brundtland thanked the foreign adviser for the active support Bangladesh has been lending to the UN in this regard including participating in the Summit Council debate on the subject in April this year.