DHAKA, July 21, 2017 (BSS) – Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal urged the developed countries to come forward and support the vulnerable countries to combat the perils of climate change, said a UN release received here today.
“The developed countries have to come forward and support the climate vulnerable countries particularly in forms of financing, innovative solutions and technology transfer to combat the danger of climate change,” the minister said.
He was addressing the 3rd UN special thematic session on Water and
Disasters entitled “Adaption to climate change, financing infrastructure and advancing science and technology,” at UN head quarters in New York on Thursday.
Explaining the magnitude of the climate risks of Bangladesh, particularly in the front of water related disasters, he said “We will also require investments from global community in our adaption and mitigation efforts through all available windows including Official Development Assistance (ODA), Green Climate Fund, bilateral engagements and funding by Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs).”
The Planning Minister called upon the science related community across the world to break national barriers and create networks of ideas and knowledge and do best practices for the benefit of the whole mankind.
Mentioning that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is an ardent advocate for sustainable water management, he said the government is committed to uphold the ‘call to action on water’ of the high level panel on water.
Describing the recent natural calamities in Bangladesh including cyclone ‘Mora’ and the flash flood, Kamal drew the attention of all about an inter-linkage between climate change and food security. The minister also informed of the various steps taken by the government to make the people resilient against climate change related impacts and distress.
The session was chaired by Dr Han Seung-soo, special envoy of the Secretary General for Disaster Risk Reduction and Water while President of Hungary Janos Ader, President of Mauritious Ameenah Gurib-Fakim and President of 71st UNGA PeterThomson also made statements at the function.
Principal Coordinator to SDG Affairs of Bangladesh Md Abul Kalam Azad, Permanent Representative and Ambassador of Bangladesh to the United Nations Masud Bin Momen, Planning Commission Member Dr Shamsul Alam and Managing Director of PKSF Md Abdul Karim were also present.