Vulnerable countries to speak up with one voice
The climate vulnerable countries like Bangladesh will speak up with one voice for global support for climate change adaptation at the oncoming Durban climate summit this December, two ministers said at a press conference yesterday.
Foreign Minister Dipu Moni and State Minister for Environment and Forests Dr Hasan Mahmud addressed the joint press conference at the foreign ministry.
A grouping of 32 countries, most vulnerable to climate change impacts, fashioned as Climate Vulnerable Forum, is set to meet in Dhaka in mid-November to forge a common agenda for Durban negotiation.
Hasan Mahmud said the forum is to forge a united voice to raise the vulnerable countries' concerns for release of green climate fund and fast-start fund for adaptation and technology transfer without condition for mitigation measures at Durban.
The forum meeting also aims at creating public awareness of the vulnerability issues and challenges globally and take those to the international actors and advocates in the climate negotiations, said Dipu Moni.
It is expected to forge an opportunity for the vulnerable countries to take the momentum of Cancun negotiation further for global support to combat climate change, she said.
External migration due to climate-induced displacement among other consequences is going to be inevitable, she said.
Replying to a question, Dr Hasan Mahmud said 66 percent of Tk 1,400 crore of Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund is spent for 62 government projects through various ministries during the past two fiscals.
The development partners have agreed so far to contribute US$ 125 million to climate change resilience fund as grant, he said.
Climate Vulnerable Forum was founded in the Maldives in 2009 with countries from Africa, Asia, and the Pacific.
Bangladesh as incoming chair will host its third ministerial meeting on November 14 to be preceded by a high officials' meeting the previous day in cooperation with the UNDP, Madrid-based NGO Dara, and CDKN of London.
A total of 28 observer countries are invited to attend the meeting.
Comments