PM for stronger global co-op to mitigate water- related disasters
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday stressed the need for creating stronger and inclusive international cooperation to mitigate water-related disasters for a resilient and sustainable post-Covid-19 world.
"Growing scarcity of clean drinking water, outbreak of diseases like cholera, typhoid etc. reminds us of crucial need of water for peace and development. To mitigate the water-related disasters, we have a shared responsibility to create stronger and inclusive international cooperation," she said.
In a recorded speech aired in the 5th United Nations Special Thematic Session on Water and Disasters held virtually, Hasina reminded the international community that the world is confronting "the gravest global health crisis of our times" due to the Covid-19 pandemic that caused enormous economic and social disruption and thus slowed down the progress for sustainable development.
The High-level Experts and Leaders Panel on Water and Disasters (HELP), which was established to assist the international community, governments and stakeholders in mobilising political will and resources to solve the water-related disasters, organised the session.
This year's session was held under the title -- "Building Back Better towards More Resilient and Sustainable Post-Covid-19 World".
In her address, Hasina also put forward five-points for consideration by the international community to address the water-related disasters.
In her first and second proposals, the premier said the world needs to take a comprehensive, result-oriented, focused and adaptive global approach for water security and raise political awareness alongside sharing good practices, knowledge, and experiences.
Placing her third and fourth proposals, she also said there should be synergies on water management, and water policies and use among the nations of upper and lower basins. The world should focus on implementation of the Sendai Framework, the SDGs, and the Paris Agreement.
The PM said, "We need to mobilise financial resources for the vulnerable countries to ensure their adequate access to water."
Hasina gave a brief description of her country's water-related disasters.
She said Bangladesh is one of the most climate vulnerable countries in the world where floods, tidal surges, cyclones, and river erosion occur more frequently now.
To address these challenges, Bangladesh is taking disaster risk reduction to the next level, the PM added.
Comments