PM proposes separate fund for worst victims

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has proposed a separate adaptation fund and technology and capacity-building supports for the countries most vulnerable to the climate change, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and the Maldives.

Addressing her second videoconference with international leaders, she said the most vulnerable countries (MVCs) and the least developed countries (LDCs) are worried as their legitimate demands are being sidelined by disagreements in climate-change negotiations between developed and developing countries.

“As early and worst victims, we want priority in financial considerations,” she told the virtual conference, preparatory to next month's Copenhagen climate summit.

Copenhagen Commitment Circle, a platform of the world leaders formed ahead of the coming climate meet, arranged the videoconference.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Danish Prime Minister and Chairman of the Circle Lars Lokke Rasmussen, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Mexican President Felipe Calderon, Norway's Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg and Ethiopian Prime Minister Males Zenawi took part in the video summit.

Hasina said if developed countries could pump trillions of dollars into stimulus packages for reviving the world economy, they could surely be equally generous to save the MVCs and LDCs.

Informing the world leaders about MVCs like Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and the Maldives, the prime minister said for us Copenhagen meet means justice, reconciliation and fresh, united start for common safety.

“We do not want adaptation, mitigation, technology-transfer supports to be in one basket,” she said to support her new proposition for separate funds.

Sheikh Hasina welcomed the EU and British prime minister's climate-financing proposals but said in terms of need, they are inadequate.

She also called for a clear commitment by the developed countries for the rescue packages.