DHAKA, June 4, 2021 (BSS) – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh’s leadership in environment diplomacy is being lauded at global arena because of her government’s success in conserving environment.
She said this in a message today on the eve of the World Environment Day-2021.
The prime minister said Bangladesh is serving as the chair of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF), and the Vulnerable Twenty (V20) Group of Ministers of Finance to protect the interests of the climate vulnerable countries.
She said her government has formulated National Adaptation Plan while Bangladesh Delta Plan-2100 is being implemented to attain sustainable development goals by reducing losses of natural disasters and climate change.
Sheikh Hasina said one crore saplings of tree have already been planted as part of the celebration of the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
She said unabated development works and industrialization of the developed countries is causing continuous rise of global warming and climate change.
Due to adverse impacts of climate change, Bangladesh has turned into one of the most vulnerable countries, she said.
The premier said during the 1996-2001 term, the Awami League government had given allocation for the first time for research in innovating adaptable ways to face climate change challenges.
She said a total of 109 advanced or high productive species of different crops which are adaptable in adverse environment have been invented in the last 12 years under the initiative of her government.
“We have formed Climate Change Trust Fund $ 450 million in 2009 with own resources,” she said.
She said Bangladesh got membership of Intergovernmental Science Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) on April 21, 2012 and on the basis of priority of the organization, the country is working to conserve those plants and animals which are most vulnerable to become extinct.
Sheikh Hasina said as recognition of success in facing climate change challenges, she was conferred with “Champion of the Earth” award by the United Nations in 2015 which she dedicated to the countrymen.
She said her government is implementing National Environment Policy, 2018 and he Brick Manufacturing and Brick Kilns Establishment (Control) Act, 2019.
Global Centre for Adaptation’s Regional Office of South Asian has been established in Dhaka in September 2020, she said.
She said her government has put attention to conserve ecological balance in The United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030) while implementation of National Solar Energy Action Plan (2021-2041) has been started.
The premier wished success of all programme on the occasion of the World Environment Day 2021.