ZCZC
BSS-53
PM-CLIMATE SOLUTION 2 LAST DHAKA
The premier said: “We must keep the increase of the global temperature within 1.5 degree centigrade and the G20 countries being the main emitters, should reset their NDCs accordingly.”
As a deltaic country, she said, Bangladesh is always prone to natural disasters. People here have been living since time immemorial showing their resilience against natural disasters.
The prime minister mentioned that Bangladesh is now the host of the Global Center on Adaptation’s South Asian regional office which will promote adaptation measures.
She urged the international community, including G20, to come forward to invest in adaptation efforts.
Mentioning that Bangladesh is the current President of the Climate Vulnerable Forum-CVF, the prime minister said that Bangladesh is also at the forefront in combating the climate-induced disasters through implementing various mitigation and adaptation programmes.
In this connection she said that the government has so far allocated 430 million US dollars from its own resources under Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund to implement Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan formulated in 2009.
“Millions of tree-saplings are being planted every year across the country to offset the impacts of climate change. Marking the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the government is planting 10 million saplings this year alone,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said Bangladeshi scientists have developed saline, flood and drought resistant crops and floating agriculture technology. “We have been expanding the construction of cyclone shelters programme, first introduced by our Father of the Nation 45 years ago,” she said.
The premier said the government has been spending on an average US$ 2 billion, 1 percent of the GDP, per year since 2010 for adaptation purposes.
She also said that Bangladesh Parliament recently adopted a resolution titled ‘Planetary Emergency’ calling upon all other Parliaments to declare this existential threat as an emergency for all countries.
Olaf Scholz, Minister of Finance and Vice Chancellor, Germany, Dr. Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, United Arab Emirates, Juan Manuel Santos, former President of Colombia, Princess Bessmah bint Bader, F20 Co-Chair, King Khalid Foundation, Klaus Milke, F20 Chair, and Dr. Sabine Mauderer, Board Member, German Central Bank, among others, addressed the event.
BSS/SH/BR/2030 hrs