Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN) – Bangladesh is committed to pursuing low-carbon green development without comprising the imperative of faster economic growth and social development, Bangladesh Bank (BB) Governor Atiur Rahman has said.
“Development strategies of the Bangladesh government laid down in the Perspective Plan and the Sixth Five Year Plan declare clear commitment to pursuing sustainable growth,” the BB govern said while speaking as a panel speaker at an event on “Building Inclusive Green Economies: A New Development Partnership” said on the sidelines of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20 Summit) in Brazil.
The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Germany organized the program, according to a message received in the capital Dhaka on Saturday.
The BB governor appreciated Rio+20 final document for reflecting the core aspiration of the people of the developing and least developed countries particularly the place for inclusive green growth for poverty eradication.
But he was not fully satisfied with the means of implementation where no firm commitment has been made for transfer of resources and technologies for poorer countries, according to the message.
“Yet, he said that Bangladesh was on high moral ground for committing itself to more inclusive green growth despite being the victim of climate change and climate change related high carbon growth in developed world,” it noted.
Dr. Rahman urged the leaders of the developed world including the ministers present at the event to come up with creative options for more meaningful international cooperation and transfer of resources and technologies for inclusive green growth.
He also underscored the successes of Bangladesh in halving poverty over the past two decades and enhancing social development despite being on the receiving end of the climate change related vulnerabilities.
The visiting central bank governor highlighted the complementary role of the central bank of Bangladesh in improving financial inclusion which has been providing necessary access to finance for the disadvantaged small entrepreneurs and marginal farmers.
“The country’s vulnerability to flood, cyclone and to the threat of inundation of large coastal areas from global warming driven sea-level rise makes sustainability a prime development concern,” the BB governor noted.
He also said financial inclusion drive at the central bank of Bangladesh has been contributing to eradicating poverty as well as sustained economic growth, enhancing social inclusion, improving human welfare and creating opportunities for employment taking into account national circumstances, objectives, responsibilities and priorities.
World Resources Institute Interim President Manish Bapna facilitated the event as moderator.
Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Federal Republic of Germany Dirk Niebel, Minister for International Development, Finland, Heidi Hautala, Minister for European Affairs and International Cooperation, Netherlands Ben Knapen and Director General, WWF International Jim Leape also spoke on the occasion.
BBN/SSR/AD-23June12-10:10 pm (BST)
