Let's act together
The foreign ministers of Germany and France yesterday promised to stay alongside Bangladesh in its fight against climate change and called for joint efforts to stop global warming now.
They also emphasised the need for addressing the root cause of climate disruptions for lasting protection of victims across the globe.
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, who arrived here yesterday morning for a one-day trip, were speaking at separate programmes prior to wrapping up their short visit.
In the run-up to the climate conference COP 21 in Paris, their joint visit to a country heavily threatened by climate disruptions could be viewed as a crucial step in global climate battle.
“It's also clear to me if we want to offer lasting protection to the people of Patuakhali or elsewhere in this planet, we must address the root causes of climate change and we must act together to stop global warming now,” said the German foreign minister while addressing a function marking the topping-off ceremony of the first-ever Franco-German Embassy at Baridhara.
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, Bangladesh Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali and diplomats of the three countries were present at the programme.
German Foreign Minister Steinmeier said the Paris Climate Conference (COP 21) in December is really a key opportunity that all must not miss it.
“It's a new symbol. The building we are inaugurating today symbolizes our unique friendship in unique partnership we will build on to address joint challenges ahead of us.”
He said Bangladesh is a country with high opportunities, and despite having lot of problems people here are very positive. “It's good that Europe could be at your side.”
Appreciating Bangladesh's commitment to climate battle, French Foreign Minister Fabius, later at a press conference, said, “You are not responsible but you are having the consequences. You are already doing great things.”
On a legally binding agreement, he said some countries have problem on this notion due to ratification process in their parliaments. “We are working to find a formula which can be accepted by all.”
The German foreign minister was scheduled to attend the briefing but because of his flight schedule he left Dhaka without attending the joint press interaction.
On the promise of $100 billion Green Climate Fund, he said, “Now we have a feeling that it can be achieved which is the key of confidence.”
However, surprisingly up to now no study has been done now to know the terms of financing, he added.
On Franco-German Embassy, Fabius said it shows the great symbol of friendship and they are working very hard through projects, finance, technology and common ideas on how to fight climate disruptions.
According to the two foreign ministers, their trip gave them a first-hand impression of the impact of global warming and the possible adaptation strategies in the areas of disaster risk reduction and long-term agricultural adaptation.
Ministers Fabius and Steinmeier were scheduled to inaugurate one of the anti-cyclone shelters, which were built with German assistance and also meet with local people and farmers in Patuakhali, who received training through BARI and the German implementation agency GIZ, in adapting with the consequences of climate change in order to get first-hand information.
However, that programme had to be cancelled due to bad weather conditions.
Instead, they took a boat trip on the Bangshi River northwest of Dhaka which was organized by the French–Bangladeshi NGO “Friendship”, working for 14 years to help address the needs of marginalized communities, highly suffering from climate changes' impact.
Runa Khan, Founder and Executive Director, gave an overview of climate changes' impact on Bangladesh as the delegation members witnessed the impact of ups and downs of the river level on the environment.
During their travel they also saw the vast inundated areas, where bricks are usually made. These areas are now under flood and only the chimneys can be seen.
After this boat trip, Fabius and Steinmeier called on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and hold delegation level meeting with Bangladesh Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali.
Later in the afternoon, Fabius and Steinmeier visited the Franco-German Embassy in Baridhara. It is the first Embassy worldwide jointly built and operated by France and Germany.
From the summer of 2016, the Franco-German Embassy Dhaka will serve as a joint workplace of German and French diplomats and their locally employed Bangladeshi colleagues.
After their visit to Bangladesh, according to a press release Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Laurent Fabius were impressed by the already visible challenges that arise from global warming in this country.
Their joint trip underlines the commitment of the two European nations to broker a pragmatic, yet comprehensive, legally-binding agreement in Paris.
Tackling climate change is a challenging task for the whole international community. And the burden to avoid further environmental hazards caused by climate change has to be shared.
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