World Children’s Day: Bangladeshi children call for climate action
Bangladeshi children have sounded the alarm and called for urgent action on climate change at a historic Children's Climate Summit held on Friday.
The virtual summit was held as part of Unicef Generation Parliament digital platform, which connects children to policies and decisions that impact their future. It was broadcast from Unicef Bangladesh Facebook page, said a press release.
The summit, hosted by UNICEF, brought together 300 "child parliamentarians" representing all constituencies in Bangladesh to debate climate issues, policies, and actions to safeguard their future.
Together, the children delivered a clear message to Bangladeshi leaders, "Our futures are intertwined and our planet is shared. We must act now to confront the climate crisis and we, the children, must be part of the solution."
The summit culminated in the adoption of a Children's Climate Declaration. In it, the children call for decision makers to reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions; to invest in education, training and a green economy; and to protect children against impacts of climate change, the release added.
"Our country is on the front line of climate change. Sea level rise, erosion, pollution and extreme weather jeopardize our survival, wellbeing and future. Children must be consulted on policies and decisions that impact our future," said 15-year-old Ridwana Islam, a Child Parliamentarian.
"The climate emergency requires bold leadership as we battle against the clock. We must look to children and young people for inspiration, courage and vision," said Tomoo Hozumi, Unif Representative in Bangladesh.
The virtual summit was chaired by Shamsul Hoque Tuku, president of the parliamentary caucus on child rights, and attended by child climate activists, parliamentarians and climate stakeholders from across Bangladesh, the release added.
"Today children have taught us that our youngest citizens should play key role in shaping climate policy. It will be my pleasure if I could make a commitment to the Children's Climate Declaration in the near future at the Parliament," said Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Fazle Rabbi Miah.
The Summit was the first gender-equal child parliament in Bangladesh, with an equal representation of girls and boys aged between 13 to 17 years, said the press release.
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