UAP holds discussion on expectations, realities and learning of COP29

The 29^th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) held in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, is a significant step towards addressing the impacts of climate change.

Heads of state, scientists, policymakers, businesspeople, and entrepreneurs attended the conference. On Monday (December 23, 2024), the University of Asia Pacific (UAP) organised a discussion on the expectations, realities and learning for the future of the conference.

The discussion was attended by Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change of the Interim Government, as the chief guest.

Professor Dr M. A. Baki Khalili, Dean of the School of Business at UAP, chaired the event, which was attended by Dr Ainun Nishat, Professor Emeritus at BRAC University; Architect Mahbuba Haque, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees (BOT) at UAP; and Professor Dr Qumrul Ahsan, Vice Chancellor at UAP.

The keynote address was presented by Professor Dr Suborna Barua, Department of International Business, University of Dhaka.

The panel discussion was attended by Professor Dr Mohammad Shariful Islam, Department of Civil Engineering, BUET, Member, Board of Trustees, University of Asia Pacific; Shawkat Ali Mirza, Director, Climate Change and International Convention, Department of Environment; Dr. Fazle Rabbi Sadique, Deputy Managing Director, Palli-Karma Sahayak Foundation; Dr Shah Abdul Saadi, Deputy Secretary, ERD, Ministry of Finance; Hafiz Khan, Environmental Lawyer; M. Zakir Hossain Khan, Chief Executive, Change Initiative; Md Shamsuddoha, Chief Executive, Center for Participatory Research and Development (CPRD); Dr S M Munjurul Hannan Khan, Executive Director, Nature Conservation Management (NACOM); Kazi Amdadul Haque, Senior Director - Strategic Planning and Head of Climate Action, Friendship; Dr Mohammad Emran Hasan, Head of Climate Justice, Oxfam in Bangladesh; Sharif Jamil, Member Secretary, Dhoritri Rokkhay Amra-DHORA; Jasmima Sabatina, Executive Board Member, EforGen; Barish Hasan Chowdhury, Campaign and Policy Coordinator, BELA; U Khing Chack, Executive Board Member, Green Milieu; and Mier Dong, Fellow, China Youth Climate Action Network (CYCAN).

The speakers said that the financial negotiations at COP29 have progressed slowly, failing to replace the $100 billion pledge. Fossil fuel subsidies have reached $1.7 trillion, hindering the progress of renewable energy.

They also said that poor countries need $1 trillion yearly to address the climate crisis, one-third of which should come from rich countries.

Professor Dr Abu Sayeed Mostaque Ahmed, Dean of the School of Environmental Science and Design at UAP; Professor Dr Nehreen Majed, Head of the Department of Civil Engineering at UAP; Sarwar Razzak Chowdhury, Head of the Department of Business Administration at UAP, and others were also present.