Bangladesh played an effective and strong role on behalf of least developed countries that are very endangered and vulnerable due to climate change at the recently concluded United Nations Climate Conference COP-27, said Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md. Shahab Uddin on Tuesday, says a press release.

In the ‘Country Statement’ provided on behalf of Bangladesh in the ‘High-Level Segment’, there is a strong call for achieving significant progress in the ‘New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance’ negotiations, with the aim of securing USD 100 billion per year until 2025 and securing long-term climate finance.

The environment minister said these things while addressing as the chief guest at a workshop titled “27th World Climate Conference (COP 27): Expectations and Achievements and Future Action Plan” at the auditorium of the Department of Environment.

The minister also said that developed countries have been requested on behalf of Bangladesh to double adaptation financing to developing countries by 2025.  While finalizing the definition of ‘climate finance’; and requested to provide assistance in the implementation of the National Adaptation Plan.  In addition, it is requested to establish a financing mechanism to avoid, reduce and address ‘loss and damage’ due to climate change.

197 member states of the UNFCCC have reached a consensus on important issues including the adoption of the ‘Sharm Al Sheikh Implementation Plan’ on the morning of November 20 after long discussions.  He said the conference decided to create a new fund to address “loss and damage” in the most vulnerable developing countries.  A ‘Transitional Committee has been set up for COP-28 to ‘Operationalize’ the Fund and fix its ‘Detail Arrangements’, said the minister.

The minister also said that a decision has been taken to finalize ‘Loss and Damage’ in the conference, decide on its host and form an advisory committee.  Countries have agreed to take action on the ‘Global Goals on Adaptation’.  The minister also said that 230 million US dollars have been pledged to the ‘Adaptation Fund’.  Funding has been given importance for the implementation of NAP.  In addition, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced a $3.1 billion plan over the next five years to protect everyone on earth through early warning systems.

The Minister of Environment said, “Sharm Al Sheikh Implementation Plan” has been accepted with congratulations by all the countries of the world, including the decision to form a new fund to address “Loss and Damage” in the more vulnerable developing countries like Bangladesh, but its successful implementation will depend on its proper implementation.  We hope that the industrialized countries of the world will be more proactive in dealing with the harmful effects of climate change.

Under the chairmanship of Dr. Farhina Ahmed, Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Deputy Minister of the ministry Habibun Nahar and president of the standing committee on environment, forest and climate change Saber Hossain Chowdhury spoke as special guests in the workshop.  Md. Moniruzzaman, Additional Secretary (Climate Change) conducted the expert session.  The workshop included 3 separate presentations on COP-27 achievements. Eminent climate experts including Director General of Environment Director Dr. Abdul Hamid and former Chief Secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office Abul Kalam Azad spoke on the occasion.  Earlier, a press briefing was held in the meeting room of the Ministry regarding Bangladesh’s participation in COP 27.  At the press briefing, the minister answered various questions from the journalists.