Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has stressed the need for full implementation of the Paris Agreement—as Bangladesh needs greater support for climate change adaptation.
"Full implementation of the Paris Agreement is crucial for Bangladesh. We need greater support for climate change adaptation," she said.
She made the statement in an intervention on climate issues at the G7 Outreach Leaders' Summit held at Manoir Richelieu Hotel in La Malbaie, in Quebec, Canada.
The prime minister said available climate financing must be augmented and facilitated for Bangladesh.
Countries like Bangladesh also need support for capacity building, technology development and transform in areas like agriculture, public health, and disaster management.
She appreciated Canada's commitment to support the poor and most vulnerable countries in adapting to the adverse effects of climate change.
Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaking at the G7 Outreach Leaders' Summit held at Manoir Richelieu Hotel in La Malbaie, in Quebec, Canada | Focus Bangla
Sheikh Hasina also commended Canada's pledge to contribute US$2.65bn over the next five years to help the developing countries tackle climate change and US$300m for to the Green Climate Fund (GCF).
The prime minister also sought financial and technological assistance from G7 countries to tackle global effects of climate change.
She said: "In Bangladesh, we foresee intense floods, droughts and heavier monsoons. Rainfall is increasingly unpredictable. The intensity and frequencies of flooding, cyclones and storms is rising.
“Upstream salinity intrusion in rivers has increased. Natural fish stocks inland is depleting.”
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Sheikh Hasina added: “In the next 20 years, five to 10 million people may have to move from our coast. Most of our development efforts and gains are at stake due to climate impacts, affecting mostly the poorest.”
She also said every year, Bangladesh spends about 1% of its GDP in combating climate change.
At another intervention on Oceans, Bangladesh’s prime minister emphasized partnerships between the G7 countries and vulnerable nations, like Bangladesh, to sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems.
"Partnerships between the G7 countries and the vulnerable countries, like Bangladesh, for sustainable management and protection of marine and coastal ecosystems are critical," she said—citing an example that, uniquely, Bangladesh supported millions of fishermen for 65 days when it government banned all fishing in the country's rivers to support natural breeding every year.
She said the ban has helped Bangladesh conserve its national fish - Hilsa - and doubled its annual harvest in recent years.
"We similarly ban hilsa fish fry harvesting for eight months in our coastal waters and the Bay. So, we would like G7 to stress on that. All the countries should engage in principles of mutual trust and respect, and mutual sharing of benefits of the oceans," she added.
Sheikh Hasina suggested that science - technology, innovation capacity - in the G7 could be mobilized for the protection, preservation, and exploitation of sustainable development of oceanic resources.
She said: "Development of adaptive technology and transfer of key technologies is crucial. Marine biotechnology has to be in focus. In tackling plastic littering in oceans, let us consider a range of industrial uses and applications of jute fibre which can virtually replace all forms of plastics.
“With jute, the world can develop cost-effective bio-degradable alternatives."
She said climate-vulnerable countries, including Bangladesh, need robust innovative finance for “blue economy,” not just based on the market.
The prime minister added: "We look forward to creative leadership from G7 countries to lead and make a practical difference for our marine life and people. Let us act before it gets late!"
