Stronger climate forums stressed

Speakers at a seminar yesterday emphasised strengthening the forums working on interests of climate vulnerable countries ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference.
They also put importance on negotiations with persons or countries that play decision making roles in climate conferences to reap better benefits in the upcoming climate conference.
Conference of the Parties (COP-18), scheduled to be held in Doha from November 26 to December 7, is the 18th session of the UN Climate Change Conference.
COP-18 Campaign Network, a coalition of seven organisations, organised the seminar titled “COP 18 Climate Conference -- Experience with Bangladesh Perspective” at Jatiya Press Club in the capital.
Presenting the keynote paper, Zakir Hossain Khan, project coordinator of Climate Finance Governance Project, said Bangladesh should play a vital role in strengthening the Climate Vulnerable Forum for the interest of these vulnerable countries which include Bangladesh.
Noted economist Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad said Bangladesh was vocal in the last few climate conferences and the country drew attention from other countries.
“But addressing at the climate conferences yields little as main decisions are taken behind the curtain,” said Kholiquzzaman, chief of Bangladesh Negotiation Team.
“So we should negotiate with those who play roles in policy making,” he added.
Rezaul Karim Chowdury and Ziaul Haque Mukta moderated the seminar while Monjurul Hannan Khan and Ahsan Uddin Qumrul Islam Chowdhury, among others, spoke.