PM for bringing climate justice to forefront of global pacts

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NEW YORK, Sept 20, 2017 (BSS)-Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has urged the developed country leaders to bring their historical responsibilities and the issue of climate justice to the forefront of a robust and effective legally binding agreement to address the issues of climate change.

Secondly, the actors should be identified from local to global levels for implementing adaptation and mitigation measures, with particular focus on climate vulnerable countries, she said.

The prime minister was addressing a Summit on a Global Pact for Environment hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron at UN Headquarters on the sidelines of the 72nd UN General Assembly here yesterday.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged the developed nations for fulfilling the right to development of the present and future generation to meet their needs in a just, equitable and sustainable manner.

She also called for delivering on the international community’s moral obligation to support peoples and countries that are victims of climate change.

“As we talk about a global pact on environment – we have to take into account those who have less,” she said. Sheikh Hasina extended her thanks to French President Emmanuel Macron for the initiative to launch the Global Pact on Environment against the backdrop of US pull out from the historic Paris Agreement.

The prime minister said Bangladesh is one of the countries mostly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The issue needs to be placed within the wider narrative of ensuring peace – stability – prosperity and addressing inequalities across societies.

Sheikh Hasina said addressing climate change is about ensuring enjoyment of human rights, justice and fundamental freedoms of the people at the bottom. It is about securing the choices for every human being in his or her progression in life, she said adding that “that is the philosophy behind the way we look at it.”

The prime minister said Bangladesh believes in action, in leading by example. We are the first among developing countries to establish a National Climate Change Fund with own resources as well as formulating a National Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan.

Each year, Bangladesh spends over one percent of its GDP in combating climate change, she said.

Later, the prime minister attended a reception for the Commonwealth Heads of State and Government hosted by the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Malta at Beekman Palace.

In the evening, the prime minister joined a welcome reception hosted by US President Donald Trump at Palace Hotel at Madison Avenue in the city.

PM’s Advisor Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed accompanied the prime minister during the reception.