Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday urged the developed countries to come up with predictable and promised mitigation measures along with finances to face the adversity of climate change.
“I would like to conclude urging all developed countries to come forward with predictable and promised mitigation measures along with climate finance,” she said while addressing the virtual “Climate Ambition Summit” to mark the fifth anniversary of the landmark Paris Agreement.
In a pre-recorded speech aired at the summit, the Sheikh Hasina also said: “Today we are observing the fifth anniversary of the historic Paris Agreement. Unfortunately, we are nowhere near to our goals set under the agreement.”
The UK, UN and France co-hosted the summit in partnership with Chile and Italy.
The summit started with opening addresses from UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, French President Emmanuel Macron, Chilean President Sebasti n Pi¤era and Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte.
Sheikh Hasina said: “The reality is the climate change is neither going to take a break nor it will spare us from its adverse impact for our inaction.”
Despite many constraints, Bangladesh has emerged as a global leader on adaptation measures, she said, adding: “In this regard, I would like to remind everyone that there is a limit to adaptation.”
As the President of the Climate Vulnerable Forum, Sheikh Hasina said they have launched the CVF “Midnight Survival Deadline for the Climate” initiative urging every country to declare enhanced NDCs by the midnight on 31st December 2020.
The prime minister said Bangladesh are planting 11.5 million saplings nationwide to mark the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and have also launched a program called the “Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan” to mobilize resources for a secure and sustainable future.
“To substantially raise our NDC and adaptation ambition, we have further included a few more potential sectors in addition to the existing energy, industry and transport sectors in the mitigation process. We are also finalizing our National Adaptation Plan,” she added.
The prime minister said: “Every year, we are spending 2 billion US Dollars for climate change sensitive projects and 3 billion US Dollars for adaptation measures.”
Chinese President Xi Jinping, Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, President of the Council of Ministers of the Italy Selina Neirok Leem, President of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta, Prime Minister of Barbados Hon Mia Mottley and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan also spoke on the occasion, among others.
Besides, President of the European Council Ursula von der Leyen and President of the European Commission also delivered speeches.
