Dhaka:Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's pre-election commitments, focusing on environmental projects such as planting 250 million trees and excavating canals, are actively being put into practice. Press Secretary AAM Saleh Shibli confirmed this development, noting that these initiatives were also highlighted by the Prime Minister at COP31 in Antalya, Turkiye.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Prime Minister initially outlined these environmental goals before taking office, promising the plantation of 250 million trees and the excavation of 20,000 kilometers of canals. These plans were reiterated during the recent global climate conference and are now in the implementation phase.
Press Secretary Shibli provided these updates during a briefing at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport following the Prime Minister's return from the 31st UN Climate Change Conference. The Prime Minister, accompanied by his wife Dr. Zubaida Rahman and his entourage, arrived on a Turkish Airlines flight at 540 am.
During the conference, the Prime Minister presented five demands on behalf of Bangladesh, emphasizing ongoing discussions and seminars. Further information on these demands will be released by the Foreign Ministry soon, Shibli added.
The Prime Minister's visit to Antalya included numerous bilateral and multilateral meetings, as well as participation in various seminars and symposiums. The trip, which included only 21 members in the entourage, marked a shift away from previous practices where large crowds would gather upon his arrival and departure.
Prime Minister Rahman attended COP31 and the Antalya Leaders' Summit, delivering a speech at the High-Level Segment, advocating for urgent actions for climate-vulnerable countries. He engaged in bilateral discussions with leaders from Turkey, Australia, China, Uzbekistan, and the UK, and held courtesy meetings with leaders from Brazil, the Maldives, Iran, Syria, Somalia, Moldova, Pakistan, and Kuwait, along with the Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and other international representatives.