PM urges Commonwealth to promote green, sustainable economic growth worldwide
The PM sought also support to the climate vulnerable countries to get access to climate finance for adaptation measures
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday requested the Commonwealth to promote green and sustainable economic growth worldwide and invest in a circular economy for building back better.
While addressing a virtual roundtable of the Asia Regional Commonwealth heads of government, the premier urged global leaders to emphasise carbon neutral technologies with a provision of knowledge and technology transfer among the members of Commonwealth with particular attention to the vulnerable countries.
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Prince of Wales Charles Philip Arthur George, the eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II, convened the roundtable.
The PM also called for support to climate vulnerable countries to get access to climate finance for adaptation measures.
"As the Chair of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) and the host of the South Asian regional office of the GCA, we are promoting the interests of the vulnerable countries and locally-led adaptation solutions, and rehabilitation of uprooted people from their homes due to river erosion and erratic climate change with climate resilient houses," she added.
"Despite vulnerabilities and resource constraints, Bangladesh has emerged as a global leader on adaptation. Every year, we are spending about $5 billion from our own resources for adaptation and climate resilience," the prime minister stated.
"Bangladesh is pursuing a low carbon development path. We are going to generate up to 40 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2041, and plant 30 million saplings. We are hoping to submit a quantified ambitious NDC by June 2021," the PM said.
"In our war against nature, we will only lose unless we unite to harness the power of nature for an equitable, resilient and greener post-Covid-19 recovery for our succeeding generations and vulnerable communities," Sheikh Hasina said.
The world is going through an unprecedented and yet uncertain pandemic situation of which Bangladesh is also no exception, she said adding, "The pandemic has brought up more challenges than health itself. Bangladesh has been able to continue with its socioeconomic development minimising the impact of the pandemic."
She urged commonwealth leaders to focus on providing shelter to the homeless, which is the best strategy to eradicate poverty and minimise climate vulnerability of the underprivileged segment of the population.
