Incheon:State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shaikh Faridul Islam has emphasized the need for effective action and adequate financing to implement international climate commitments. He stressed that declarations from global climate conferences must lead to tangible and effective measures.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the State Minister highlighted the necessity for adequate, predictable, and accessible climate financing, particularly for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and climate-vulnerable nations. He urged countries with greater historical responsibility for the climate crisis to play a proactive role in fulfilling their international obligations.
Speaking at the "LDC Parliamentarians at COP31 Turning Climate Declarations into Action" meeting at the Nepal Pavilion during the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the State Minister advocated for climate justice, climate finance, and the implementation of the Dili Declaration. He pointed out that LDCs, including Bangladesh, contribute minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions but are disproportionately affected by climate change impacts.
The State Minister underscored the importance of international cooperation to ensure climate justice and protect vulnerable communities. He noted that the 2026 LDC Dili Ministerial Declaration on Climate Change serves as a crucial foundation for advancing the interests of LDCs in international negotiations. Parliamentarians, he said, must actively engage in international discussions and implement national legislation, policy reforms, and accountability mechanisms to achieve these objectives.
He further stressed that climate finance should align with the international commitments of developed countries, advocating for increased grant-based financing to support adaptation, mitigation, and addressing loss and damage. Transparent and equitable climate finance mechanisms are needed to avoid additional debt burdens on vulnerable countries. Additionally, he called for enhanced international support for technology transfer and capacity building to boost local climate resilience.
The State Minister highlighted the critical need to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and transition to clean and renewable energy, emphasizing that this shift must be just, inclusive, and aligned with LDCs' development and energy security needs. He urged developed countries to lead this transition while providing financial and technological support to developing nations.
In conclusion, the State Minister stressed the role of national parliaments in implementing international climate commitments. He called for strengthened parliamentary cooperation to formulate climate-responsive laws, ensure public expenditure oversight, and promote transparency in climate finance. The meeting, moderated by Arjun Karki, a Member of Parliament from Nepal, featured discussions with parliamentarians and climate negotiators from various countries, focusing on the priorities of the 2026 Dili Ministerial Declaration, climate finance, and the role of parliamentarians in protecting LDC interests at COP31 and beyond.