Dhaka meet on Global Commission on Adaptation begins today
DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENT, Dhaka
Representatives of different international organisations will meet in Dhaka today, to talk on climate change issues, especially adaptation, and generate a report through recommendations. Bangladesh is going to host the two-day eventDhaka Meeting of the Global Commission on Adaptation (GCA)where president of the Marshal Islands, Dr Hilda Heine, former secretary general of the UN, Ban Ki-Moon, CEO of the World Bank, Kristalina Georgieva, GCA representatives and local experts, among others, would be present.
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen yesterday said this at a press conference in the foreign ministry office in the capital. Among others, environment, forest and climate change minister Md Shahab Uddin and principal coordinator (SDG) of the Prime Ministers Office Md. Abul Kalam Azad, were also present.
Momen has said Bangladesh is one of the most affected by climate change and it is the pressing issue for all.
He also said at least 20 to 25 per cent land of the country would be submerged if the sea level rises by one metre, resulting in displacement of three million people. Taking all these matters into consideration, world leaders and representatives working on climate change would sit together to make a final report on adaptation, Momen said.
On the first day of the meeting on July 9, the experts would discuss on adaptation to combat climate change and speak to people directly engaged in adaptation in Bangladesh, the foreign minister said.
On the concluding day, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will be present, he added.
Momen said the GCA would prepare a report through this meeting and it would be placed before the climate conference of the Secretary General of the United Nations in September 2019 for approval.
The report will contain recommendations on the adverse effects of climate change, different mechanisms and ways to deal with them. Besides, priority would be given on the most affected countries for adaptation and resilience, Momen said.
In reply to a query, he said the adverse impact on environment and forests caused by camps of Rohingyas would also be placed at the meeting.
Replying to another question on the United States aversion to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, he said: The climate change is an important issue for all, whether the US agrees or not. In all, 79 per cent of the US citizens think that climate change is a big issue and the US government should take steps in this regard.
The minister said China, which is also responsible for climate change, wants to work with all to address the issue.
Momen said Hilda Heine, Ban-Ki-Moon and Kristalina Georgieva would also visit the
Khuru School Housing Project in Coxs Bazar on July 10 to see how people have been displaced due to climate change.
They would also visit Rohingya camps at Kutupalang in Coxs Bazaar.
Other GCA commissioners and foreign representatives would visit Naria in Shariatpur to see river erosion due to climate change, the foreign minister said.
In addition, Hilda Heine, Ban-Ki-Moon and Kristalina Georgieva would pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The President of the Marshal Islands will also meet Bangladesh President Md Abdul Hamid.
Hilda Heine and Ban-Ki-Moon will arrive in Dhaka on July 9 and leave on July 11.
The GCA was established in October 2018 to expedite adaptation efforts around the world. Bangladesh is one of the important partners of the GCA as the country is a pioneer in adaptation.
