Expect UK to promote interests of climate vulnerable countries: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said that Bangladesh expects the UK to promote the interests and priorities of climate vulnerable countries to international platforms.

She said this when COP26 President-Designate Alok Sharma met her at her official residence Gono Bhaban.

PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.

He said they discussed various issues like the climate change situation, its adverse impacts, mitigation and Climate Change Fund, and the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh is going to be among the worst affected countries due to climate change even though the carbon emission of these countries is very negligible.

Hasina said the government has undertaken various programmes to increase the renewable energy use in mitigating the demand for power.

She said there are currently some 5.8 million solar power connections in Bangladesh.

The PM said her government and the Awami League as a party are engaged in mass tree plantation to improve the environment of the country.

Talking about the Covid-19 pandemic and vaccination, she said the government has adopted various measures to run the economy apart from containing the coronavirus infection although Bangladesh is a densely populated country.

COP26 President-Designate Alok Sharma invited the Prime Minister to attend the COP26, to be held in November next in Glasgow.

He put emphasis on converting power generation in the green energy system.

Alok Sharma hoped that Bangladesh under the leadership of the Prime Minister will play an important role as the current president of Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF).

Regarding the vaccination programme, he said the vaccination drive is going on well in the United Kingdom.

Ambassador-at-Large Mohammad Ziauddin, among others, was present on the occasion.

ALOK SHARMA DISCUSSES CLIMATE ISSUES WITH FOREIGN MINISTER

The COP26 President also met Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen and discussed priority issues on climate front.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam, among others, attended the meeting.