Antalya:Dhaka Bangladesh will emphasize the need for climate finance to be provided as grants rather than loans at the upcoming COP31 in Antalya, Turkey, from November 9 to 20. The State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shama Obaed Islam, announced on Monday that the country will urge developed nations to acknowledge their role in global carbon emissions and support climate resilience efforts.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is set to attend the World Leaders' Summit on November 11-12 during the conference. The Prime Minister's participation will be formally announced at an upcoming press conference.
Bangladesh plans to showcase its achievements in climate resilience, highlighting its experiences in managing climate change impacts across South Asia and the broader Asian region. The State Minister stressed the necessity for major carbon-emitting countries to assume responsibility and accountability during climate negotiations.
Bangladesh's contributions to global carbon emissions are minimal, yet the country is significantly affected by climate change, Shama stated. The government will also present initiatives led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman over the past six months, which include canal excavation, tree plantation drives, and increased focus on solar power and renewable energy.
An inter-ministerial coordination meeting was held last month under the chairmanship of State Minister Shama to review Bangladesh's preparations for COP31. The meeting addressed the Prime Minister's role in the high-level segment of the conference, as well as potential bilateral meetings and seminars at Bangladesh's pavilions in the Blue and Green Zones.
In response to queries about the execution of two Bangladeshis in Saudi Arabia, Shama confirmed that the Bangladesh mission is in continuous communication with the Saudi authorities, hoping for updates soon.