Bangladesh unique in vulnerability, resilience

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said Bangladesh is a unique example of climate vulnerability and resilience.

She said people here time and again have shown their resilience against natural or man-made disasters. Yet, a lot of things need to be changed, the PM added.

"I think other countries in the region also have similar experiences and some good practices on adaptive measures. I believe together we can safeguard and build a better future for all of us."

Hasina was addressing a programme marking the launch of the regional office of the Global Centre on Adaptation (GCA) in Dhaka.

She expressed optimism that the GCA regional office would serve as a "Centre of Excellence" and a solution-broker for climate adaptation measures in the South Asia region.

"I hope this regional office will share the best adaptation practices of Bangladesh as well as other countries and exchange practices within the region," the PM said.

Hasina and former UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon, also the chair of the GCA Board, jointly inaugurated the "Global Centre on Adaptation Bangladesh" in the capital's Agargaon digitally. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte also spoke at the virtual function.

Noting that climate change is a global affair, the Bangladesh PM called upon all countries to enhance their nationally-determined contributions by December 31 this year in tackling the menace as well as executing the 2015 Paris Agreement.

About the newly-opened GCA office in Dhaka, she said this is a historic moment for combating climate change in South Asia through adaptation.

"It is heartening to note that the GCA Bangladesh office will facilitate, support and develop on-the ground action in South Asia to enhance adaptation and climate resilience."

Hasina expected that the GCA Dhaka office would also support Bangladesh during its chairmanship to Climate Vulnerable Forum and Vulnerable-20, two climate-based important international bodies under the UNFCCC process, during the next two years.

She said South Asia is the most vulnerable region to climate-induced natural disasters like cyclone, flood, tidal surge, drought, Glacial Lake Outburst Flood, landslides and avalanches. Even a 1.5 degrees Celsius rise in temperature would have severe consequences for Bangladesh and the region.

"We also must not forget the vulnerability of the children, women, elderly people and people with special needs against disasters," she added.

Hasina said Bangladesh remains committed to implementing the Paris Agreement and adopting all measures to prevent the rise in temperature from the emission of greenhouse gas and other environmental degradation.

She said her government has taken up various mitigation and adaptation programmes under Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan formulated in 2009 to offset climate change impacts.

"We established Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund in 2009 and so far allocated $430 million from our own resources to implement the action plan."

The government has also been spending about 1 percent of GDP equivalent to $2 billion per year since 2010 for adaptation purposes, Hasina said.

The PM urged the GCA to explore the opportunity of supporting the Delta Coalition on a long-term basis.

She said the Covid-19 pandemic fallout calls for greater cooperation and collaboration among the nations.

Ministers from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Bhutan, Nepal and the Maldives as well as GCA Chief Executive Officer Patrick Verkooijen also spoke on the occasion.