By G M Forhadul Mozumder (Dhaka Bureau)
Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called upon global leaders to immediately implement their climate commitments to protect the lives of millions of people vulnerable to the devastating impacts of climate change worldwide.
He made the call on Tuesday (23 June) while delivering the opening remarks at a session titled ‘Climate Leadership in a Shifting Global Landscape’ during the 17th Annual Meeting of the New Champions of the World Economic Forum (WEF), held at the Dalian International Conference Center in China. The Prime Minister emphasized that the time has come to translate climate pledges into action and commitments into tangible results.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman stated, ‘We hope COP31 will address this challenge, and Bangladesh stands ready to play its part. Climate action is not a cost; rather, it is a vital investment in prosperity, stability, and our shared future.’
Three Core Priorities Ahead of COP31 and COP32
To make global climate discussions meaningful, the Prime Minister highlighted three key priorities:
* Implementation of the Loss and Damage Fund: The Loss and Damage Fund must transition from mere pledges to operational reality, ensuring accessible and predictable assistance for affected nations.
* Accessible Climate Finance & Technology Transfer: Climate finance must be made more accessible, concessionary, and demand-driven for vulnerable nations. Concurrently, technology transfer and private sector investment must be accelerated through the broader integration and optimization of the Green Climate Fund (GCF).
* Imperative Focus on Adaptation: Highlighting that adaptation is an absolute necessity alongside mitigation, he noted that the UNCTAD-estimated $300 billion New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) is entirely inadequate to meet the mitigation and adaptation needs of developing countries.
Bangladesh’s Revolutionary Initiatives in Climate Action
The Prime Minister made it clear that Bangladesh is not merely a frontline victim of the climate crisis, but a proactive nation seeking global solutions. Aligning with its electoral manifesto, the government has integrated environmental protection and green growth into its core development strategy, outlining several mega-plans for the next five years:
* River & Water Management: Excavation of nearly 20,000 kilometers of rivers and canals, construction of the Padma Barrage, and implementation of a master plan to modernize the Teesta Barrage.
* Afforestation Program: Planting and nurturing 250 million trees over the next five years, driven by initiatives like the ‘One Student, One Tree’ program to restore biodiversity and lower temperatures.
*Renewable Energy: Generating at least 20% of the country’s electricity from solar, wind, waste-to-energy, and other renewable sources by 2030.
* Green Industry & Economy: Promoting eco-friendly industries like jute products and electric vehicles, establishing a National Carbon Market, and transforming waste into resources through a circular economy.
The Prime Minister proudly highlighted that Bangladesh has already achieved remarkable milestones in green manufacturing, noting that 69 of the world’s top 100 LEED-certified eco-friendly factories are located in Bangladesh.
A Call for Global Unity
Concluding his address, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman urged world leaders to set aside their political differences and honor the commitments made to millions of vulnerable people. He expressed optimism that the World Economic Forum would serve as a vital platform to foster dialogue, build consensus, and inspire collective global action.
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The Writer:
G M Forhadul Mozumder: Staff Correspondent, Pressenza- Dhaka Bureau.
