Global Solidarity Urged for Climate Crisis and Sustainable Development
By G M Forhadul Mozumder (Dhaka Bureau)
The Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Tariq Rahman, has called for stronger and more coordinated global efforts to combat the adverse impacts of climate change and achieve sustainable development goals. He made this call during a high-level courtesy meeting with Alois Zwinggi, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the World Economic Forum (WEF), in Dalian, China, on Tuesday (June 23).
The bilateral meeting took place at 5:00 PM local time at the Dalian International Conference Center on the sidelines of the ongoing WEF regional summit. During the discussion, Bangladesh highlighted its visionary and multifaceted steps toward environmental protection, renewable energy, and climate adaptation.
Urgent Call for Coordinated Action to Protect Delta Regions
At the beginning of the meeting, WEF Chief Alois Zwinggi extended his warm congratulations to Prime Minister Tariq Rahman on assuming office as the head of government.
During the dialogue, the Prime Minister commended the World Economic Forum for its various initiatives in tackling the climate crisis. However, he reminded the forum that the global community must act with greater unity to protect climate-vulnerable delta nations like Bangladesh and countries facing the extreme risk of sea-level rise. He emphasized the need for specialized global funds and technological support for these at-risk nations.
Bangladesh’s Path to Green Energy and Nature-Based Solutions
The Prime Minister’s remarks made it clear that Bangladesh views the climate crisis not just as a challenge, but as an opportunity for sustainable transformation. He highlighted several mega green initiatives undertaken by his government:
* Tax Incentives for Renewable Energy: To boost investment and encourage the use of green energy, the government is providing significant tax benefits to the solar power and renewable energy sectors.
* The 2030 Target: Bangladesh has set a target to generate 20 percent of its total electricity demand from renewable sources by 2030.
* 250 Million Trees: A mega project has been launched to plant 250 million trees across the country over the next five years to maintain ecological balance and reduce carbon emissions.
* Re-excavation of Rivers and Canals: To restore water flow and protect the riverine ecosystem, around 20,000 kilometers of rivers and canals are being re-excavated. This initiative will simultaneously mitigate flood risks and preserve the environment.
Interest in Utilizing Bangladesh’s Leadership on the Global Stage
WEF President Alois Zwinggi highly praised Bangladesh’s green initiatives and climate resilience model. He stated that Prime Minister Tariq Rahman’s experience and practical initiatives in tackling climate change could serve as a valuable lesson for the contemporary world. He expressed a strong interest in utilizing this experience on a global scale.
Zwinggi expressed optimism that Bangladesh’s climate-resilient and sustainable development policies would attract greater interest from international investors and global financial institutions. Assuring that the issues raised by Bangladesh would be considered with utmost importance, he pledged continued support from the World Economic Forum.
Furthermore, the WEF CEO formally invited the Prime Minister of Bangladesh to attend the prestigious Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum to be held in Davos, Switzerland.
The high-level Bangladeshi delegation at the meeting also included Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman, Foreign Affairs Adviser to the Prime Minister Humayun Kabir, Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Ashik Chowdhury, and Additional Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Atiqur Rahman Rumon.
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The Writer:
G M Forhadul Mozumder, Staff Correspondent, Pressenza- Dhaka Bureau.
