Despite contributing less than 0.05 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, Bangladesh remains one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries.
At the 31st UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Turkey’s Antalya, Dhaka will press developed nations to take responsibility for their historical emissions and fulfil their commitments to vulnerable countries.
Bangladesh will seek climate justice through increased adaptation finance, support to address climate-induced loss and damage, and the transfer of technology, Foreign Secretary Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury on Monday said at a briefing on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s upcoming visit.
“Bangladesh calls for climate justice, demanding that developed nations accept their historical responsibility for global emissions and honour their commitments,” he said.
Tarique will visit Turkey from 10 to 12 November to attend the climate summit and hold bilateral meetings with world leaders.
The prime minister will be accompanied by the environment, forest and climate change minister, two state ministers for foreign affairs, the prime minister’s special assistant for environment and climate change affairs, and relevant officials.
Collective advocacy for climate finance
Bangladesh views compensation and technology transfer as collective demands of developing countries rather than issues to be pursued only through bilateral engagement, the foreign secretary said.
Drawing on its role in international platforms, including its previous leadership as coordinator of the least developed countries (LDCs) and its active engagement with the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF), Bangladesh will urge developed countries to deliver the funding and technology they have pledged, he said.
Securing increased adaptation finance and support to address loss and damage caused by climate impacts will remain among Bangladesh’s key diplomatic priorities.
The foreign secretary said presenting data on climate-induced losses and damage at international forums also helps highlight the scale of the challenges facing Bangladesh and build global awareness.
Under the Paris Agreement, developed countries pledged financial assistance and technology transfer to vulnerable nations. However, Bangladesh believes these commitments have not been delivered fully or consistently.
“Bangladesh continues to advocate strongly for the actualisation of these technology transfer promises,” he said.
Bilateral meetings on the sidelines
During the summit, Tarique is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines with up to six world leaders and international officials.
Confirmed meetings include those with the prime minister of Australia, the vice-president of China and the president of Uzbekistan.
Potential meetings are also being considered with the president of Turkey, the foreign secretary of the United Kingdom and the administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
