Norway to help Bangladesh combat pollution, tap marine resources

Norway has expressed interest to help Bangladesh combat its river and plastic pollution; and explore marine resources in a “sustainable way” so that it can achieve its development goals. “Combatting pollution is the most important thing to do,” Norwegian Ambassador to Bangladesh Sidsel Bleken, who fell in love with Bangladeshi rivers, told UNB in an interview. Ten rivers in the world, including the Ganges, are shockingly contributing 80 to 90 percent of plastic pollution to the world's oceans.      

Both Bangladeshis and Norwegians have lived by the sea and off the sea for more than a thousand years, and Norway says a clean and healthy ocean is equally important for both countries.

Ambassador Bleken who visited the Sundarbans, mighty river Padma and the rivers around Dhaka, river Turag in particular, said rivers are the “lifeline” of Bangladesh and laid emphasis on engaging with industries to deal with issues relating to river pollution.

Sharing her recent river-cruise experience, the Ambassador said still lots of things are there that need to be done when it comes to cleaning the discharged water coming from industries.

She said it is not the responsibility of the government alone as industries have a role to play in controlling river pollution. “That’s extremely important.” Bleken who spent almost three years in Bangladesh said there is pollution which is also coming from households and gave much importance to the cleanliness of water bodies.

Norway’s Ambassador to the United Nations (UN) Mona Juul has been elected as the President of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for a one-year (2020-2021) term. The ECOSOC president plays a key role in the UN, with responsibility for following up the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the financing for development agenda.

“We’re pleased that Bangladesh is also an ECOSOC member. We would like to work together with a number of countries so that sustainable goals are achieved,” Bleken said adding that it is a common responsibility for all the countries in the world, and Norway is very much looking forward to working with Bangladesh on that front.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on all leaders to come to New York on September 23 with concrete and realistic plans to enhance their nationally-determined contributions by 2020 on climate front.

Norway to help Bangladesh combat pollution, tap marine resources

Norway has expressed interest to help Bangladesh combat its river and plastic pollution; and explore marine resources in a sustainable way so that it can achieve its development goals. Combatting pollution is the most important thing to do, Norwegian Ambassador to Bangladesh Sidsel Bleken, who fell in love with Bangladeshi rivers, told UNB in an interview. Ten rivers in the world, including the Ganges, are shockingly contributing 80 to 90 percent of plastic pollution to the worlds oceans. Both Bangladeshis and Norwegians have lived by the sea and off the sea for more than a thousand years, and Norway says a clean and healthy ocean is equally important for both countries. Ambassador Bleken who visited the Sundarbans, mighty river Padma and the rivers around Dhaka, river Turag in particular, said rivers are the lifeline of Bangladesh and laid emphasis on engaging with industries to deal with issues relating to river pollution. Sharing her recent river-cruise experience, the Ambassador said still lots of things are there that need to be done when it comes to cleaning the discharged water coming from industries. She said it is not the responsibility of the government alone as industries have a role to play in controlling river pollution. Thats extremely important. Bleken who spent almost three years in Bangladesh said there is pollution which is also coming from households and gave much importance to the cleanliness of water bodies. Norways Ambassador to the United Nations (UN) Mona Juul has been elected as the President of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for a one-year (2020-2021) term. The ECOSOC president plays a key role in the UN, with responsibility for following up the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the financing for development agenda. Were pleased that Bangladesh is also an ECOSOC member. We would like to work together with a number of countries so that sustainable goals are achieved, Bleken said adding that it is a common responsibility for all the countries in the world, and Norway is very much looking forward to working with Bangladesh on that front. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on all leaders to come to New York on September 23 with concrete and realistic plans to enhance their nationally-determined contributions by 2020 on climate front.